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Langley-Evans SC. Early life programming of health and disease: the long-term consequences of obesity in pregnancy: a narrative review. J Hum Nutr Diet 2022; 35:816-832. [PMID: 35475555 PMCID: PMC9540012 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising in all parts of the world and among young women it presents a very clear danger during pregnancy. Women who are overweight or who gain excessive weight during pregnancy are at greater risk of complications in pregnancy and labour, and are more likely to lose their child to stillbirth, or themselves die during pregnancy. This narrative review considers the evidence that in addition to increasing risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, obesity has the capacity to programme fetuses to be at greater risk of cardiometabolic disorders later in life. An extensive body of evidence from prospective and retrospective cohorts, and record linkage studies demonstrates associations of maternal obesity and/or gestational diabetes with cardiovascular disease, type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Studies in animals suggest that these associations are underpinned by adaptations that occur in fetal life, which remodel the structures of major organs including the brain, kidney and pancreas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Langley-Evans
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD
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Langley-Evans SC, Pearce J, Ellis S. Overweight, obesity and excessive weight gain in pregnancy as risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes: a narrative review. J Hum Nutr Diet 2022; 35:250-264. [PMID: 35239212 PMCID: PMC9311414 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The global prevalence of overweight and obesity in pregnancy is rising and this represents a significant challenge for the management of pregnancy and delivery. Women who have a pre‐pregnancy body mass index greater than 25 kg m–2 are more likely than those with a body mass index in the ideal range (20–24.99 kg m–2) to have problems conceiving a child and are at greater risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. All pregnancy complications are more likely with overweight, obesity and excessive gestational weight gain, including those that pose a significant threat to the lives of mothers and babies. Labour complications arise more often when pregnancies are complicated by overweight and obesity. Pregnancy is a stage of life when women have greater openness to messages about their lifestyle and health. It is also a time when they come into greater contact with health professionals. Currently management of pregnancy weight gain and the impact of overweight tends to be poor, although a number of research studies have demonstrated that appropriate interventions based around dietary change can be effective in controlling weight gain and reducing the risk of pregnancy complications. The development of individualised and flexible plans for avoiding adverse outcomes of obesity in pregnancy will require investment in training of health professionals and better integration into normal antenatal care. Overweight and obesity before pregnancy and excessive gestational weight gain are major determinants of risk for pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes, hypertensive conditions, labour complications and maternal death. Pregnancy is regarded as a teachable moment when women are at their most receptive to messages about their health. However, unclear guidance on diet and physical activity, weight stigma from health professionals, inexperience and reluctance among professionals about raising issues about weight, and stretched resources put the health of women and babies at risk. Excessive weight gain in pregnancy and post‐partum weight retention compromise future fertility and increase risk for future pregnancies. Large randomised controlled trials have had little success in addressing excessive gestational weight gain or antenatal complications. Individualised, culturally sensitive and responsive interventions appear to have greater success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Langley-Evans
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jo Pearce
- Food & Nutrition Subject Group, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah Ellis
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
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Extracellular Vesicles—New Players in Cell-To-Cell Communication in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020462. [PMID: 35203669 PMCID: PMC8962272 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in extracellular vesicles (EVs) has contributed to a better understanding of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Biologically active cargo, such as miRNAs and proteins, is critical in many different biological processes. In this context, pregnancy is one of the most complex physiological states, which needs a highly regulated system to ensure the correct nourishment and development of the baby. However, pre-existent maternal conditions and habits can modify the EV-cargo and dysregulate the system leading to pregnancy complications, with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) being one of the most reported and influential. Calcification and aging of muscle cells, protein modification in vascular control or variations in the levels of specific miRNAs are some of the changes observed or led by EV populations as adaptation to GDM. Interestingly, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance changes are not fully understood to date. Nevertheless, the increasing evidence generated has opened new possibilities in the biomarker discovery field but also in the understanding of cellular mechanisms modified and involved in GDM. This brief review aims to discuss some of the findings in GDM and models used for that purpose and their potential roles in the metabolic alterations during pregnancy, with a focus on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
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McIntyre HD, Catalano P, Zhang C, Desoye G, Mathiesen ER, Damm P. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:47. [PMID: 31296866 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 776] [Impact Index Per Article: 155.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hyperglycaemia that develops during pregnancy and resolves after birth has been recognized for over 50 years, but uniform worldwide consensus is lacking about threshold hyperglycaemic levels that merit a diagnosis of 'gestational diabetes mellitus' (GDM) and thus treatment during pregnancy. GDM is currently the most common medical complication of pregnancy, and prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycaemia and even overt diabetes in young women is increasing. Maternal overweight and obesity, later age at childbearing, previous history of GDM, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and ethnicity are major GDM risk factors. Diagnosis is usually performed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), although a non-fasting, glucose challenge test (GCT) is used in some parts of the world to screen women for those requiring a full OGTT. Dietary modification and increased physical activity are the primary treatments for GDM, but pharmacotherapy, usually insulin, is used when normoglycaemia is not achieved. Oral hypoglycaemic agents, principally metformin and glibenclamide (glyburide), are also used in some countries. Treatment improves immediate pregnancy outcomes, reducing excess fetal growth and adiposity and pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. GDM increases the risk of long-term complications, including obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease, in both the mother and infant. Optimal management of mother and infant during long-term follow-up remains challenging, with very limited implementation of preventive strategies in most parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- H David McIntyre
- Mater Research and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Patrick Catalano
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cuilin Zhang
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth R Mathiesen
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet and The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Damm
- Department of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet and The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
Evidence suggests that both high and low birth weight children have increased the risk for obesity and the metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Previously we have found altered feeding behaviour and food preferences in pre-school children and adults born with low birth weight. In this study, we investigated if birth weight was associated with different intake of fat, carbohydrate and/or protein at 6-12 years of age. This is a cross-sectional study where 255 guardians answered online and telephone questions including anthropometrics and demographic data, parental family food rules (food control, encouragement and restriction) and a complete web-based FFQ for their children (130 boys and 125 girls). Baseline demographic and parental food rules characteristics did not differ accordingly to sex. Linear regression models were conducted separately for each sex, adjusted for income, age and maternal age. There were no differences in total energy intake, but energy density (ED, energy content/g) was negatively associated with birth weight in boys. Macronutrient analysis showed that ED intake was from a greater intake of fat. Birth weight was not a significant predictor of protein and carbohydrate intake in boys. In girls, we saw a positive correlation between fat intake and cholesterol intake v. birth weight, but no association with ED intake (results did not remain after adjustment). The study shows that low birth weight is associated with altered fat intake in childhood in a sex-specific manner. It is likely that biological factors such as fetal programming of homoeostatic and/or hedonic pathways influencing food preferences are involved in this process.
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Chen Y, Fan JX, Zhang ZL, Wang G, Cheng X, Chuai M, Lee KKH, Yang X. The negative influence of high-glucose ambience on neurogenesis in developing quail embryos. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66646. [PMID: 23818954 PMCID: PMC3688607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes is defined as glucose intolerance during pregnancy and it is presented as high blood glucose levels during the onset pregnancy. This condition has an adverse impact on fetal development but the mechanism involved is still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of high glucose on the developing quail embryo, especially its impact on the development of the nervous system. We established that high glucose altered the central nervous system mophologically, such that neural tube defects (NTDs) developed. In addition, we found that high glucose impaired nerve differentiation at dorsal root ganglia and in the developing limb buds, as revealed by neurofilament (NF) immunofluorescent staining. The dorsal root ganglia are normally derived from neural crest cells (NCCs), so we examine the delamination of NCCs from dorsal side of the neural tube. We established that high glucose was detrimental to the NCCs, in vivo and in vitro. High glucose also negatively affected neural differentiation by reducing the number and length of neurites emanating from neurons in culture. We established that high glucose exposure caused an increase in reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation by primary cultured neurons. We hypothesized that excess ROS was the factor responsible for impairing neuron development and differentiation. We provided evidence for our hypothesis by showing that the addition of vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant) could rescue the damaging effects of high glucose on cultured neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-xia Fan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao-long Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang Wang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manli Chuai
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Ka Ho Lee
- Stem Cell and Regeneration Thematic Research Programme, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- * E-mail: (XY); (KKHL)
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Division of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (XY); (KKHL)
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Abstract
Outside pregnancy, acute caffeine consumption is associated with insulin resistance. We investigated if during pregnancy plasma concentrations of caffeine and its metabolite, paraxanthine, were associated with insulin resistance. Caffeine, paraxanthine, glucose, and insulin were measured and insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in banked samples from 251 fasting subjects at mean gestational age of 20.3 ± 2.0 weeks. Analysis of covariance and adjusted logistic regression were performed. Most (96.4%) women had caffeine and/or paraxanthine present. Caffeine concentrations in the upper two quartiles (>266 ng/mL) were associated with threefold higher odds of having higher insulin resistance estimated by log HOMA ≥75th percentile (third quartile odds ratio [OR], 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 7.54 and fourth quartile OR, 2.95; 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.31). Paraxanthine concentrations in the upper quartile (>392 ng/mL) were also associated with threefold higher odds of having higher insulin resistance (OR, 3.04; 95% CI: 1.28 to 7.25). Adjusted mean HOMA in the first caffeine-to-paraxanthine ratio quartile was 1.5 ± 2.2 versus 1.3 ± 2.3 in the fourth quartile ( P < 0.01). Both high caffeine and paraxanthine concentrations were associated with insulin resistance, but slow versus fast metabolism did not make an important difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Katherine Laughon
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Robert W. Powers
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - James M. Roberts
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sarah Parana
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Janet Catov
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Services, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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Uric acid concentrations are associated with insulin resistance and birthweight in normotensive pregnant women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009; 201:582.e1-6. [PMID: 19729142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Revised: 05/22/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate whether uric acid concentrations are increased in pregnant women with insulin resistance and to correlate both with fetal growth. STUDY DESIGN Uric acid, glucose, and insulin were measured in plasma at 20.4 (+/-2.0) weeks' gestation in 263 women. The association between uric acid and insulin resistance, as estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), was analyzed and related to birthweights. RESULTS In 212 (80.6%) women who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy, HOMA increased 1.23 U per 1-mg/dL increase in uric acid (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.42; P=.003). Infants born to normotensive women in the upper quartile of uric acid and lowest HOMA quartile weighed 435.6 g less than infants of women with highest uric acid and HOMA quartiles (P<.005). CONCLUSION Increasing uric acid concentrations were associated with insulin resistance in midpregnancy. Hyperuricemia was associated with lower birthweight in normotensive women, and this effect was attenuated by insulin resistance.
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Abstract
Metabolic adaptations during pregnancy are essential to meet the physiological demands of pregnancy as well as adequate growth and development of the fetus. There has been considerable interest in carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy, with diabetes, the main disorder of glucose metabolism, a considerable focus for research. Whereas disorders of protein and lipid metabolism are recognised during pregnancy, their influence has received less attention. Fasting glucose values fall in early pregnancy with a rise in plasma free fatty acids, enhanced ketogenesis and a fall in plasma amino acids. Decreased hepatic insulin sensitivity in later pregnancy plays a key role in bringing about the appropriate changes in carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism which are essential for normal fetal development and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Hadden
- Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK. davidrhadden@bt
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Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity. Current world literature. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2009; 16:189-202. [PMID: 19300094 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e328329fcc2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Type 1 diabetes complicates around 1 in 200 to 300 pregnancies in the United Kingdom. Historically maternal type 1 diabetes carried very high risks for mother and child. Introduction of insulin led to an immediate, marked decline in the previously very high rates of maternal mortality; in contrast an improvement in perinatal outcomes occurred more slowly but was nevertheless dramatic. This is strikingly demonstrated by the temporal decline in perinatal mortality in offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes which was virtually universal before use of insulin in the 1920's, likely remained in excess of 20% even in the 1960's and fell to under 4% by the 1990's. The reasons for this more gradual improvement in perinatal outcomes cannot be defined with precision but will have been influenced by improved glycaemic management with use of intensive, multiple dose insulin treatment and home glucose monitoring; improvements in obstetric and neonatal management, and better management of complications of diabetes before and during pregnancy. In 1989 the St Vincent declaration proposed that pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes should approximate those of the non-diabetic population. While the long term improvements in fetal outcomes have been dramatic, contemporary surveys confirm a persistent doubling or more of rates of congenital anomaly and a three to four fold increase in perinatal mortality in the UK and other European countries which will require further clinical innovation to overcome.
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