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Liu L, Wen Y, Ni Q, Chen L, Wang H. Prenatal ethanol exposure and changes in fetal neuroendocrine metabolic programming. Biol Res 2023; 56:61. [PMID: 37978540 PMCID: PMC10656939 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal ethanol exposure (PEE) (mainly through maternal alcohol consumption) has become widespread. However, studies suggest that it can cause intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and multi-organ developmental toxicity in offspring, and susceptibility to various chronic diseases (such as neuropsychiatric diseases, metabolic syndrome, and related diseases) in adults. Through ethanol's direct effects and its indirect effects mediated by maternal-derived glucocorticoids, PEE alters epigenetic modifications and organ developmental programming during fetal development, which damages the offspring health and increases susceptibility to various chronic diseases after birth. Ethanol directly leads to the developmental toxicity of multiple tissues and organs in many ways. Regarding maternal-derived glucocorticoid-mediated IUGR, developmental programming, and susceptibility to multiple conditions after birth, ethanol induces programmed changes in the neuroendocrine axes of offspring, such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and glucocorticoid-insulin-like growth factor 1 (GC-IGF1) axes. In addition, the differences in ethanol metabolic enzymes, placental glucocorticoid barrier function, and the sensitivity to glucocorticoids in various tissues and organs mediate the severity and sex differences in the developmental toxicity of ethanol exposure during pregnancy. Offspring exposed to ethanol during pregnancy have a "thrifty phenotype" in the fetal period, and show "catch-up growth" in the case of abundant nutrition after birth; when encountering adverse environments, these offspring are more likely to develop diseases. Here, we review the developmental toxicity, functional alterations in multiple organs, and neuroendocrine metabolic programming mechanisms induced by PEE based on our research and that of other investigators. This should provide new perspectives for the effective prevention and treatment of ethanol developmental toxicity and the early prevention of related fetal-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yinxian Wen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qubo Ni
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Liaobin Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Disease Research Center of Wuhan University, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Kotsopoulou I, Vyas AK, Cory MJ, Chan CS, Jagarapu J, Gill S, Mudduluru M, Angelis D. Developmental changes of the fetal and neonatal thyroid gland and functional consequences on the cardiovascular system. J Perinatol 2022; 42:1576-1586. [PMID: 36376450 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-022-01559-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid hormones play an important role in the development and function of the cardiac myocyte. Dysregulation of the thyroid hormone milieu affects the fetal cardiac cells via complex molecular mechanisms, either by altering gene expression or directly by affecting post-translational processes. This review offers a comprehensive summary of the effects of thyroid hormones on the developing cardiovascular system and its adaptation. Furthermore, we will highlight the gaps in knowledge and provide suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kotsopoulou
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Arpita K Vyas
- Division of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, College of Medicine, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, USA
| | - Melinda J Cory
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Christina S Chan
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jawahar Jagarapu
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shamaila Gill
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Manjula Mudduluru
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Dimitrios Angelis
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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3
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Young SL, Gallo LA, Brookes DSK, Hayes N, Maloney M, Liddle K, James A, Moritz KM, Reid N. Altered bone and body composition in children and adolescents with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. Bone 2022; 164:116510. [PMID: 35931325 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure can contribute to long term adverse health outcomes. Development of the skeletal system begins at the early embryonic stage and continues into early adulthood but the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on skeletal growth is relatively unexplored in a clinical population. Here, we performed dual X-ray absorptiometry to examine bone, fat, and muscle accrual in children and adolescents diagnosed with, or at risk of, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Children (aged 4-9 years) with FASD or at risk of FASD (n = 10) had similar growth to age matched controls (n = 27). By adolescence (aged ≥10 years), those with FASDs (n = 13) were shorter and had lower areal bone mineral density and lean tissue mass than typically developing peers (n = 29). Overall, adolescents diagnosed with FASDs had greater odds of impairments to bone and body composition. These findings highlight the importance of early FASD diagnosis and appropriate post-diagnostic medical follow-up to enable timely, effective interventions to optimize bone and body composition during paediatric growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia L Young
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Linda A Gallo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Denise S K Brookes
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicole Hayes
- Child Health Research Centre, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Maree Maloney
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Karen Liddle
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland Health, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amanda James
- Queensland Children's Hospital, Queensland Health, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Child Health Research Centre, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane, Australia
| | - Natasha Reid
- Child Health Research Centre, Centre for Children's Health Research, South Brisbane, Australia.
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Neuropsychological Alterations in Patients with Congenital Hypothyroidism Treated with Levothyroxine: Linked Factors and Thyroid Hormone Hyposensitivity. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123427. [PMID: 35743497 PMCID: PMC9224966 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Eighty-five percent of the studies of patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) treated with Levothyroxine (L-T4) report neuropsychological sequelae throughout life. In neonates and infants, there is a deficit in sensorimotor skills (impaired balance). In preschool and elementary school children and adolescents, there are alterations in intellectual quotient (low scores), language (delayed phonological acquisition), memory (visual, verbal, visuospatial, visuoconstructive, autobiographical, and semantic), sensorimotor skills (impaired fine and gross motor control), and visuoconstructive–visuospatial domain (low scores in spatial location, block design, and object assembly). These neuropsychological domains are also affected in young adults, except for language (adequate verbal fluency) and visuoconstructive–visuospatial domain (no data). The onset and severity of neuropsychological sequelae in patients with treated CH depend on several factors: extrinsic, related to L-T4 treatment and social aspects, and intrinsic, such as severity and etiology of CH, as well as structural and physiological changes in the brain. In this review, we hypothesized that thyroid hormone hyposensitivity (THH) could also contribute to neuropsychological alterations by reducing the effectiveness of L-T4 treatment in the brain. Thus, further research could approach the THH hypothesis at basic and clinical levels to implement new endocrinological and neuropsychological therapies for CH patients.
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Shi Q, Wu M, Chen P, Wei B, Tan H, Huang P, Chang S. Criminal of Adverse Pregnant Outcomes: A Perspective From Thyroid Hormone Disturbance Caused by SARS-CoV-2. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:791654. [PMID: 35047419 PMCID: PMC8761741 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.791654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, emerging evidence has shown adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, preeclampsia, cesarean, and perinatal death, occurring in pregnant women after getting infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Thyroid hormone disturbance has been unveiled consistently in various studies. As commonly known, thyroid hormone is vital for promoting pregnancy and optimal fetal growth and development. Even mild thyroid dysfunction can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. We explored and summarized possible mechanisms of thyroid hormone abnormality in pregnant women after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and made a scientific thypothesis that adverse pregnancy outcomes can be the result of thyroid hormone disorder during COVID-19. In which case, we accentuate the importance of thyroid hormone surveillance for COVID-19-infected pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiman Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Pei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hailong Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shi Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Research Center for Thyroid Disease in Hunan Province, Changsha, China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Thyroid and Related Diseases Treatment Technology, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, China
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Thyroid diseases and second to fourth digit ratio in Polish adults. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18979. [PMID: 34556783 PMCID: PMC8460635 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98436-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between second to fourth finger ratio and thyroid diseases is unexplained. There is a possible interaction between prenatal exposition to sex hormone and thyroid functions in the adulthood. The study included 175 adults investigated in Łódź in the central Poland. It consisted of two main parts: a survey including questions about occurrence of thyroid gland dysfunction and anthropometric measurements (body mass and height and length of the second and fourth finger, waist and hip circumferences). The women who had thyroid disease had higher 2D:4D digit ratio (left hand) (mean = 1.004; SD = 0.036) than healthy ones (mean = 0.989; SD = 0.030) (t = − 2105; p = 0.038; d = 0.707). The association between thyroid diseases occurrence and prenatal steroid hormone exposition is noticed. Only females who had thyroid diseases tend to have higher 2D:4D digit ratio, for left hand.
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Adu-Gyamfi EA, Wang YX, Ding YB. The interplay between thyroid hormones and the placenta: a comprehensive review†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:8-17. [PMID: 31494673 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate a number of metabolic processes during pregnancy. After implantation, the placenta forms and enhances embryonic growth and development. Dysregulated maternal THs signaling has been observed in malplacentation-mediated pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), but the molecular mechanisms involved in this association have not been fully characterized. In this review, we have discussed THs signaling and its roles in trophoblast proliferation, trophoblast differentiation, trophoblast invasion of the decidua, and decidual angiogenesis. We have also explored the relationship between specific pregnancy complications and placental THs transporters, deiodinases, and THs receptors. In addition, we have examined the effects of specific endocrine disruptors on placental THs signaling. The available evidence indicates that THs signaling is involved in the formation and functioning of the placenta and serves as the basis for understanding the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of dysthyroidism-associated pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, miscarriage, and IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.,Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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8
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Chattergoon NN. Thyroid hormone signaling and consequences for cardiac development. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T145-T160. [PMID: 31117055 PMCID: PMC6613780 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fetal heart undergoes its own growth and maturation stages all while supplying blood and nutrients to the growing fetus and its organs. Immature contractile cardiomyocytes proliferate to rapidly increase and establish cardiomyocyte endowment in the perinatal period. Maturational changes in cellular maturation, size and biochemical capabilities occur, and require, a changing hormonal environment as the fetus prepares itself for the transition to extrauterine life. Thyroid hormone has long been known to be important for neuronal development, but also for fetal size and survival. Fetal circulating 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) levels surge near term in mammals and are responsible for maturation of several organ systems, including the heart. Growth factors like insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulate proliferation of fetal cardiomyocytes, while thyroid hormone has been shown to inhibit proliferation and drive maturation of the cells. Several cell signaling pathways appear to be involved in this complicated and coordinated process. The aim of this review was to discuss the foundational studies of thyroid hormone physiology and the mechanisms responsible for its actions as we speculate on potential fetal programming effects for cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N Chattergoon
- Center for Developmental Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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Burgess DJ, Dorey ES, Gardebjer EM, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H, Moritz KM, Cuffe JSM. Periconceptional ethanol exposure alters the stress axis in adult female but not male rat offspring. Stress 2019; 22:347-357. [PMID: 30741061 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2018.1563068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethanol consumption during pregnancy alters offspring hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. However, little is known about the outcomes of alcohol consumption confined to the periconceptional period. This study investigated the effects of periconceptional ethanol (PC:EtOH) exposure on corticosterone concentrations, response to restraint stress and gene expression of adrenal, hypothalamic, and hippocampal glucocorticoid-related pathways in rat offspring. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with PC:EtOH (12.5% v/v EtOH liquid diet) or a control diet from four days before conception, until embryonic day 4. At 6 (adult) and 12-14 (aged) months of age, basal corticosterone concentrations were measured, while in a separate cohort of aged rats, blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma corticosterone concentrations were measured during a 30-minute restraint stress. Adrenal gland, hypothalamic and hippocampal tissue from aged rats were subjected to transcriptomic analysis. PC:EtOH exposure reduced basal plasma corticosterone concentrations in adult and aged female but not male offspring (p < .05). The corticosterone and pressor response were significantly reduced in aged PC:EtOH female offspring following restraint (p < .05). Expression of adrenal steroidogenesis genes (Mc2r, Cyp11a1, Cyp21a1, 11bhsd2, and Nr3c1) and hypothalamic genes (Crh, Crh-r1, Nr3c1, and Hsp90a1) was not affected by PC:EtOH. In aged female offspring exposed to PC:EtOH, adrenal mRNA expression of Hsp90a1 was significantly elevated, and within the hippocampus, mRNAs for glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1) and Hsp90a1 were increased (p < .05). This study supports the hypothesis that prenatal alcohol exposure programs sex-specific alterations in the HPA axis and provides the first evidence that the periconceptional period is a critical window for programing of this axis. Lay summary This study investigated the impact of alcohol consumption around the time of conception on offspring stress reactivity in a rat model. Offspring exposed to alcohol displayed altered cardiovascular responses to stress and had reduced circulating concentrations of the stress hormone corticosterone both under basal conditions and following a stressful challenge. This study also identified altered expression of key genes in an important part of the brain known to be involved in stress responsiveness; the hippocampus. If similar outcomes occur in humans, these results would suggest that alcohol consumption, even before a woman knows she is pregnant, may significantly impact stress-related outcomes in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J Burgess
- a School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Emily S Dorey
- a School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | - Emelie M Gardebjer
- a School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
| | | | - Karen M Moritz
- a School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
- c The University of Queensland, Child Health Research Centre , Brisbane , Australia
| | - James S M Cuffe
- a School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia
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Tapia-Martínez J, Franco-Colín M, Ortiz-Butron R, Pineda-Reynoso M, Cano-Europa E. Hypothyroid offspring replacement with euthyroid wet nurses during lactation improves thyroid programming without modifying metabolic programming. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2019; 63:199-207. [PMID: 31066757 PMCID: PMC10522202 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine the milk quality effect during lactation on the metabolic and thyroid programming of hypothyroid offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into two groups: euthyroid and thyroidectomy-caused hypothyroidism. The rats were matted and, one day after birth, the pups were divided into three groups: euthyroid offspring (EO), hypothyroid offspring (HO) and hypothyroid with a euthyroid replacement wet nurse (HRO). During lactation, the milk quality and offspring body length were evaluated. The body weight and energy intake were determined on a weekly basis, as well as the metabolic profile at the prepubertal (P35-36) and postpubertal (P55-56) ages. At P56, the animals were sacrificed, the adipose tissues were weighed and the thyroid glands were dissected for histological processing. RESULTS The milk of the hypothyroid wet nurse decreases proteins (16-26%), lipids (22-29%) and lactate (22-37%) with respect to euthyroid. The HO has a lower body weight gain (23-33%), length (11-13%) and energy intake (15-21%). In addition, HO presents impaired fasting glucose and dyslipidemia, as well as a reduction in seric thyroid hormone (18-34%), adipose reserves (26-68%) and thyroid gland weight (25-34%). The HO present thyroid gland cytoarchitecture alteration. The HRO develop the same metabolic alterations as the HO. However, the thyroid gland dysfunction was partially prevented because the HRO improved under about 10% of the serum thyroid hormone concentration, the thyroid gland weight although histological glandular changes presented. CONCLUSIONS The replacement of hypothyroid offspring with a euthyroid wet nurse during lactation can improve the thyroid programming without modifying metabolic programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Tapia-Martínez
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de FisiologíaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoDepartamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de FisiologíaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoDepartamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Margarita Franco-Colín
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de FisiologíaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoDepartamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rocio Ortiz-Butron
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de FisiologíaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoDepartamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Marisol Pineda-Reynoso
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de Formación Básica DisciplinariaEscuela Superior de MedicinaInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoAcademía de Histología, Departamento de Formación Básica Disciplinaria, Escuela Superior de Medicina. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Edgar Cano-Europa
- Instituto Politécnico NacionalDepartamento de FisiologíaEscuela Nacional de Ciencias BiológicasInstituto Politécnico NacionalCiudad de MéxicoMéxicoDepartamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
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Vuong AM, Braun JM, Webster GM, Thomas Zoeller R, Hoofnagle AN, Sjödin A, Yolton K, Lanphear BP, Chen A. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposures and thyroid hormones in children at age 3 years. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 117:339-347. [PMID: 29787984 PMCID: PMC5997562 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) reduce serum thyroid hormone concentrations in animal studies, but few studies have examined the impact of early-life PBDE exposures on thyroid hormone disruption in childhood. METHODS We used data from 162 mother-child pairs from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study (2003-2006, Cincinnati, OH). We measured PBDEs in maternal serum at 16 ± 3 weeks gestation and in child serum at 1-3 years. Thyroid hormones were measured in serum at 3 years. We used multiple informant models to investigate associations between prenatal and early-life PBDE exposures and thyroid hormone levels at age 3 years. RESULTS Prenatal PBDEs were associated with decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels at age 3 years. A 10-fold increase in prenatal ∑PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, and -153) was associated with a 27.6% decrease (95% CI -40.8%, -11.3%) in TSH. A ten-fold increase in prenatal ∑PBDEs was associated with a 0.25 pg/mL (0.07, 0.43) increase in free triiodothyronine (FT3). Child sex modified associations between prenatal PBDEs and thyroid hormones, with significant decrements in TSH among females and decreased free T4 (FT4) in males. Prenatal ∑PBDEs were not associated with TT4, FT4, or total T3. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an inverse relationship between prenatal ∑PBDEs and TSH at 3 years. Associations may be sexually dimorphic, with an inverse relationship between prenatal BDE-47 and -99 and TSH in females and null associations among males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Vuong
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati 45267, OH, USA
| | - Joseph M Braun
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main St, Box G-S121-2, Providence 02912, RI, USA
| | - Glenys M Webster
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A 1S6, BC, Canada
| | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 611 North Pleasant St, Amherst 01003, MA, USA
| | - Andrew N Hoofnagle
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, NW120, Seattle 98195, WA, USA
| | - Andreas Sjödin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mail Stop F-20, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta 30341, GA, USA
| | - Kimberly Yolton
- Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7035, Cincinnati 45229, OH, USA
| | - Bruce P Lanphear
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby V5A 1S6, BC, Canada
| | - Aimin Chen
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati 45267, OH, USA.
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Hippocampus-dependent memory and allele-specific gene expression in adult offspring of alcohol-consuming dams after neonatal treatment with thyroxin or metformin. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:1643-1651. [PMID: 28727687 PMCID: PMC5775940 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the result of fetal alcohol exposure (FAE), affects 2-11% of children worldwide, with no effective treatments. Hippocampus-based learning and memory deficits are key symptoms of FASD. Our previous studies show hypothyroxinemia and hyperglycemia of the alcohol-consuming pregnant rat, which likely affects fetal neurodevelopment. We administered vehicle, thyroxine (T4) or metformin to neonatal rats post FAE and rats were tested in the hippocampus-dependent contextual fear-conditioning paradigm in adulthood. Both T4 and metformin alleviated contextual fear memory deficit induced by FAE, and reversed the hippocampal expression changes in the thyroid hormone-inactivating enzyme, deiodinase-III (Dio3) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2), genes that are known to modulate memory processes. Neonatal T4 restored maternal allelic expressions of the imprinted Dio3 and Igf2 in the adult male hippocampus, while metformin restored FAE-caused changes in Igf2 expression only. The decreased hippocampal expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) that maintains the imprinting of Dio3 and Igf2 during development was normalized by both treatments. Administering Dnmt1 inhibitor to control neonates resulted in FAE-like deficits in fear memory and hippocampal allele-specific expression of Igf2, which were reversed by metformin. We propose that neonatal administration of T4 and metformin post FAE affect memory via elevating Dnmt1 and consequently normalizing hippocampal Dio3 and Igf2 expressions in the adult offspring. The present results indicate that T4 and metformin, administered during the neonatal period that is equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy, are potential treatments for FASD and conceivably for other neurodevelopmental disorders with cognitive deficits.
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Donald KA, Wedderburn CJ, Barnett W, Hoffman N, Zar HJ, Redei EE, Stein DJ. Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women With Moderate to Severe Alcohol Consumption Is Related to Infant Developmental Outcomes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:294. [PMID: 29951034 PMCID: PMC6008549 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have an estimated global prevalence of 2-5% of births, but prevalence is reported to be as high as 15.5% for FASD in certain high-risk communities in South Africa. Preclinical studies demonstrate that alcohol consumption during pregnancy interferes with thyroid hormone availability and function and negatively impacts exposed offspring. Very little is currently reported on this phenomenon in humans. METHODS This pilot study was embedded in the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a multi-disciplinary longitudinal birth cohort study investigating the early biological and psychosocial determinants of child health in South Africa. Twenty one mothers and their children with moderate-severe prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and 19 mothers and their children with no alcohol exposure were investigated. Maternal exposure history and blood samples were collected in mid-pregnancy and analyzed for serum-free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Children were assessed with formally measured growth parameters and development was evaluated using the Bayley III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID III) at 6 and 24 months of age. RESULTS While there were no significant differences in serum TSH and FT4 between groups, FT3 levels were significantly higher in mothers with moderate-severe prenatal alcohol use. In abstinent pregnant women, levels of FT4 were significantly correlated with infants' scores on cognitive measures at 6 and 24 months of age and with levels of gross motor skills at 24 months. However, in mothers with alcohol use, FT4 levels were not correlated with any cognitive or motor skills, but FT3 levels were significantly associated with scores on children's social-emotional development at 24 months of age. DISCUSSION Thyroid function in PAE is sufficiently disrupted to lead to alterations in serum FT3 levels. The contrast in findings between PAE and abstinent dyads in their association of maternal thyroid function and infant development further suggests that such disruption is present and may contribute to adverse neurodevelopment. Further work is needed to determine the relationship between peripheral thyroid indices during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the context of PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten A. Donald
- Division of Developmental Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Kirsten A. Donald,
| | - Catherine J. Wedderburn
- Division of Developmental Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Whitney Barnett
- Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadia Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Physiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Dan J. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
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Khanal P, Nielsen MO. Impacts of prenatal nutrition on animal production and performance: a focus on growth and metabolic and endocrine function in sheep. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2017; 8:75. [PMID: 28919976 PMCID: PMC5594587 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-017-0205-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of foetal programming (FP) originated from human epidemiological studies, where foetal life nutrition was linked to health and disease status later in life. Since the proposal of this phenomenon, it has been evaluated in various animal models to gain further insights into the mechanisms underlying the foetal origins of health and disease in humans. In FP research, the sheep has been quite extensively used as a model for humans. In this paper we will review findings mainly from our Copenhagen sheep model, on the implications of late gestation malnutrition for growth, development, and metabolic and endocrine functions later in life, and discuss how these implications may depend on the diet fed to the animal in early postnatal life. Our results have indicated that negative implications of foetal malnutrition, both as a result of overnutrition and, particularly, late gestation undernutrition, can impair a wide range of endocrine functions regulating growth and presumably also reproductive traits. These implications are not readily observable early in postnatal life, but are increasingly manifested as the animal approaches adulthood. No intervention or cure is known that can reverse this programming in postnatal life. Our findings suggest that close to normal growth and slaughter results can be obtained at least until puberty in animals which have undergone adverse programming in foetal life, but manifestation of programming effects becomes increasingly evident in adult animals. Due to the risk of transfer of the adverse programming effects to future generations, it is therefore recommended that animals that are suspected to have undergone adverse FP are not used for reproduction. Unfortunately, no reliable biomarkers have as yet been identified that allow accurate identification of adversely programmed offspring at birth, except for very low or high birth weights, and, in pigs, characteristic changes in head shape (dolphin head). Future efforts should be therefore dedicated to identify reliable biomarkers and evaluate their effectiveness for alleviation/reversal of the adverse programming in postnatal life. Our sheep studies have shown that the adverse impacts of an extreme, high-fat diet in early postnatal life, but not prenatal undernutrition, can be largely reversed by dietary correction later in life. Thus, birth (at term) appears to be a critical set point for permanent programming in animals born precocial, such as sheep. Appropriate attention to the nutrition of the late pregnant dam should therefore be a priority in animal production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Khanal
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1st floor, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.,Current address: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Transgenic Animal and Lipid Storage, Norwegian Transgenic Centre (NTS), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Olaf Nielsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, 1st floor, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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15
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Lunde ER, Washburn SE, Golding MC, Bake S, Miranda RC, Ramadoss J. Alcohol-Induced Developmental Origins of Adult-Onset Diseases. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:1403-14. [PMID: 27254466 PMCID: PMC5067080 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol exposure may impair growth, development, and function of multiple organ systems and is encompassed by the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Research has so far focused on the mechanisms, prevention, and diagnosis of FASD, while the risk for adult-onset chronic diseases in individuals exposed to alcohol in utero is not well explored. David Barker's hypothesis on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) suggests that insults to the milieu of the developing fetus program it for adult development of chronic diseases. In the 25 years since the introduction of this hypothesis, epidemiological and animal model studies have made significant advancements in identifying in utero developmental origins of chronic adult-onset diseases affecting cardiovascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and psychobehavioral systems. Teratogen exposure is an established programming agent for adult diseases, and recent studies suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure correlates with adult onset of neurobehavioral deficits, cardiovascular disease, endocrine dysfunction, and nutrient homeostasis instability, warranting additional investigation of alcohol-induced DOHaD, as well as patient follow-up well into adulthood for affected individuals. In utero epigenetic alterations during critical periods of methylation are a key potential mechanism for programming and susceptibility of adult-onset chronic diseases, with imprinted genes affecting metabolism being critical targets. Additional studies in epidemiology, phenotypic characterization in response to timing, dose, and duration of exposure, as well as elucidation of mechanisms underlying FASD-DOHaD inter relation, are thus needed to clinically define chronic disease associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. These studies are critical to establish interventional strategies that decrease incidence of these adult-onset diseases and promote healthier aging among individuals affected with FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie R. Lunde
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shannon E. Washburn
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael C. Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Shameena Bake
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Rajesh C. Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Jayanth Ramadoss
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Tunc-Ozcan E, Harper KM, Graf EN, Redei EE. Thyroxine administration prevents matrilineal intergenerational consequences of in utero ethanol exposure in rats. Horm Behav 2016; 82:1-10. [PMID: 27090562 PMCID: PMC4902747 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The neurodevelopmental fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is characterized by cognitive and behavioral deficits in the offspring. Conferring the deficits to the next generation would increase overall FASD disease burden and prevention of this transmission could be highly significant. Prior studies showed the reversal of these behavioral deficits by low dose thyroxine (T4) supplementation to the ethanol-consuming mothers. Here we aim to identify whether prenatal ethanol (PE) exposure impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in the second-generation (F2) progeny, and whether T4 administration to the ethanol-consuming dam can prevent it. Sprague-Dawley (S) dams received control diets (ad libitum and nutritional control) or ethanol containing liquid diet with and without simultaneous T4 (0.3mg/L diet) administration. Their offspring (SS F1) were mated with naive Brown Norway (B) males and females generating the SB F2 and BS F2 progeny. Hippocampus-dependent contextual fear memory and hippocampal expression of the thyroid hormone-regulated type 3 deiodinase, (Dio3) and neurogranin (Nrgn) were assessed. SS F1 PE-exposed females and their SB F2 progeny exhibited fear memory deficits. T4 administration to the mothers of F1 females reversed these deficits. Although SS F1 PE-exposed males also experienced fear memory deficit, this was neither transmitted to their BS F2 offspring nor reversed by prenatal T4 treatment. Hippocampal Dio3 and Nrgn expression showed similar pattern of changes. Grandmaternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy affects fear memory of the matrilineal second-generation progeny. Low dose T4 supplementation prevents this process likely via altering allele-specific and total expression of Dio3 in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Tunc-Ozcan
- The Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Kathryn M Harper
- The Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Evan N Graf
- The Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Eva E Redei
- The Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
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Andersen SL, Olsen J, Laurberg P. Foetal programming by maternal thyroid disease. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2015; 83:751-8. [PMID: 25682985 DOI: 10.1111/cen.12744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Foetal programming is an emerging concept that links a wide range of exposures during foetal life to later development of disease. Thyroid disorders are common in women of reproductive age, and careful management of pregnant women suffering from thyroid disease is important considering the crucial role of thyroid hormones during early brain development. It is possible that maternal thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy may lead to structural and/or functional changes during foetal brain development. Such an effect could later predispose the offspring to an increased risk of neurologic or psychiatric disease. We recently observed that children born to mothers with thyroid dysfunction had an increased risk of developing seizure disorders, autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and psychiatric disease in adolescence and young adulthood. In the review, we discuss the concept of potential foetal programming by maternal thyroid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Linding Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jørn Olsen
- Section for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Laurberg
- Department of Endocrinology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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18
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Gereben B, McAninch EA, Ribeiro MO, Bianco AC. Scope and limitations of iodothyronine deiodinases in hypothyroidism. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2015; 11:642-652. [PMID: 26416219 PMCID: PMC5003781 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2015.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The coordinated expression and activity of the iodothyronine deiodinases regulate thyroid hormone levels in hypothyroidism. Once heralded as the pathway underpinning adequate thyroid-hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine, the role of these enzymes has come into question as they have been implicated in both an inability to normalize serum levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and the incomplete resolution of hypothyroid symptoms. These observations, some of which were validated in animal models of levothyroxine monotherapy, challenge the paradigm that tissue levels of T3 and thyroid-hormone signalling can be fully restored by administration of levothyroxine alone. The low serum levels of T3 observed among patients receiving levothyroxine monotherapy occur as a consequence of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO2) in the hypothalamus being fairly insensitive to ubiquitination. In addition, residual symptoms of hypothyroidism have been linked to a prevalent polymorphism in the DIO2 gene that might be a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. Here, we discuss how these novel findings underscore the clinical importance of iodothyronine deiodinases in hypothyroidism and how an improved understanding of these enzymes might translate to therapeutic advances in the care of millions of patients with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Gereben
- Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szigony Street 43, Budapest H-1083, Hungary
| | - Elizabeth A McAninch
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rush University Medical Center, 212 Cohn Building, 1735 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Miriam O Ribeiro
- Developmental Disorders Program, Center for Biological and Health Science, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua da Consolação 930, Building 16, São Paulo, SP 01302, Brazil
| | - Antonio C Bianco
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rush University Medical Center, 212 Cohn Building, 1735 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Lisboa PC, Conceição EPS, de Oliveira E, Moura EG. Postnatal overnutrition programs the thyroid hormone metabolism and function in adulthood. J Endocrinol 2015. [PMID: 26203167 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Early overnutrition (EO) during lactation leads to obesity, leptin resistance and lower thyroid hormone (TH) levels during adulthood. To better understand the biological significance of this thyroid hypofunction, we studied the long-term effects of postnatal EO on both the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and the metabolism and action of TH. To induce EO, the litter size was reduced to three pups per litter (small litter (SL) group) on the third day of lactation. In the controls (normal litter group), litter size was adjusted to 10 pups per litter. Rats were killed at PN180. TRH content and in vitro TSH were evaluated. Iodothyronine deiodinase (D1 and D2) activities were measured in different tissues. Mitochondrial α-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and TH receptor (TRβ1) were evaluated to assess TH action. The SL group presented lower TRH, intra-pituitary and released TSH levels, despite unchanged plasma TSH. They presented lower D1 activity in thyroid, muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT) and higher D2 activity in the hypothalamus, pituitary, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and WAT, which confirmed the hypothyroidism. UCP1 in BAT and TRβ1 in WAT were decreased, which can contribute to a lower catabolic status. Despite the lower TH, the D2 activity in the thyroid, heart and testes was unchanged. Hepatic D1, mGPD and TRβ1 were also unchanged in SL rats, suggesting that the TH conversion and action were preserved in the liver, even with lower TH. Thus, this model indicates that postnatal EO changes thyroid function in adult life in a tissue-specific way, which can help in the understanding of obesogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C Lisboa
- Laboratory of Endocrine PhysiologyDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de setembro, 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-031, Brazil
| | - Ellen P S Conceição
- Laboratory of Endocrine PhysiologyDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de setembro, 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-031, Brazil
| | - Elaine de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Endocrine PhysiologyDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de setembro, 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-031, Brazil
| | - Egberto G Moura
- Laboratory of Endocrine PhysiologyDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida 28 de setembro, 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20551-031, Brazil
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Rodríguez L, Detomaso F, Braga P, Prendes M, Perosi F, Cernadas G, Balaszczuk A, Fellet A. Neonatal hyperthyroidism on rat heart: interrelation with nitric oxide and sex. J Endocrinol Invest 2015; 38:685-94. [PMID: 25700772 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-015-0244-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To clarify the mechanism mediating the effect of hyperthyroidism on cardiac function during the second month of life in rats. METHODS Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to a control or to a triiodothyronine (T3)-treated group. Treatment of each group was started on the third day after birth. Control rats (Eut) received 0.9 NaCl [0.1 ml/100 g body weight (BW)] every second day during 60 days and T3-treated rats (Hyper) received subcutaneous (SC) T3 injections every second day during 60 days. RESULTS Hyperthyroidism decreased left ventricle volume only in male rats. Female euthyroid rats presented higher atrial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity than male rats and hormonal treatment decreased this enzyme's activity in both sexes. Euthyroid male and female rats had similar atrial NOS protein levels, but females had higher caveolin (cav) 3 protein levels. T3 treatment increased this protein only in males. Female rats had lower ventricular NOS activity than male rats; hyperthyroidism increased NOS activity in both sexes but this effect was associated with lower cav 3 protein levels. Hyperthyroidism did not change cav 1 protein levels in both male and female rats. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrating clinically relevant sex-related differences in the pathophysiology of the hyperthyroid heart have raised new questions regarding the mechanisms responsible for the observed differences. This study suggests that sex-related intrinsic factors such as nitric oxide may modulate the response to hyperthyroidism that leads to cardiovascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Detomaso
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - P Braga
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Prendes
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Perosi
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Air Force Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Cernadas
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Air Force Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Balaszczuk
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A Fellet
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Junin 956, C1113AAD, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Tunc-Ozcan E, Sittig LJ, Harper KM, Graf EN, Redei EE. Hypothesis: genetic and epigenetic risk factors interact to modulate vulnerability and resilience to FASD. Front Genet 2014; 5:261. [PMID: 25140173 PMCID: PMC4122175 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) presents a collection of symptoms representing physiological and behavioral phenotypes caused by maternal alcohol consumption. Symptom severity is modified by genetic differences in fetal susceptibility and resistance as well as maternal genetic factors such as maternal alcohol sensitivity. Animal models demonstrate that both maternal and paternal genetics contribute to the variation in the fetus' vulnerability to alcohol exposure. Maternal and paternal genetics define the variations in these phenotypes even without the effect of alcohol in utero, as most of these traits are polygenic, non-Mendelian, in their inheritance. In addition, the epigenetic alterations that instigate the alcohol induced neurodevelopmental deficits can interact with the polygenic inheritance of respective traits. Here, based on specific examples, we present the hypothesis that the principles of non-Mendelian inheritance, or "exceptions" to Mendelian genetics, can be the driving force behind the severity of the prenatal alcohol-exposed individual's symptomology. One such exception is when maternal alleles lead to an altered intrauterine hormonal environment and, therefore, produce variations in the long-term consequences on the development of the alcohol-exposed fetus. Another exception is when epigenetic regulation of allele-specific gene expression generates disequilibrium between the maternal vs. paternal genetic contributions, and thereby, modifies the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on the fetus. We propose that these situations in which one parent has an exaggerated influence over the offspring's vulnerability to prenatal alcohol are major contributing mechanisms responsible for the variations in the symptomology of FASD in the exposed generation and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Tunc-Ozcan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Laura J Sittig
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathryn M Harper
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evan N Graf
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eva E Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Chicago, IL, USA
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Aréchiga-Ceballos F, Alvarez-Salas E, Matamoros-Trejo G, Amaya MI, García-Luna C, de Gortari P. Pro-TRH and pro-CRF expression in paraventricular nucleus of small litter-reared fasted adult rats. J Endocrinol 2014; 221:77-88. [PMID: 24464021 DOI: 10.1530/joe-13-0458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine axes adapt to nutrient availability. During fasting, the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT) is reduced, whereas that of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is increased. Overfeeding-induced hyperleptinemia during lactation may alter the regulatory set point of neuroendocrine axes and their adaptability to fasting in adulthood. Hyperleptinemia is developed in rodents by litter size reduction during lactation; adult rats from small litters become overweight, but their paraventricular nucleus (PVN) TRH synthesis is unchanged. It is unclear whether peptide expression still responds to nutrient availability. PVN corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) expression has not been evaluated in this model. We analyzed adaptability of HPT and HPA axes to fasting-induced low leptin levels of reduced-litter adult rats. Offspring litters were reduced to 2-3/dam (early-overfed) or maintained at 8/dam (controls, C). At 10 weeks old, a subset of animals from each group was fasted for 48 h and leptin, corticosterone, and thyroid hormones serum levels were analyzed. In brain, expressions of leptin receptor, NPY and SOCS3, were evaluated in arcuate nucleus, and those of proTRH and proCRF in PVN by real-time PCR. ProTRH expression in anterior and medial PVN subcompartments was assayed by in situ hybridization. Early-overfed adults developed hyperphagia and excessive weight, together with decreased proTRH expression in anterior PVN, supporting the anorexigenic effects of TRH. Early-overfed rats presented low PVN proTRH synthesis, whereas fasting did not induce a further reduction. Fasting-induced stress was unable to increase corticosterone levels, contributing to reduced body weight loss in early-overfed rats. We concluded that early overfeeding impaired the adaptability of HPT and HPA axes to excess weight and fasting in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Aréchiga-Ceballos
- Neurofisiología Molecular, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz (INPRFM), Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, C.P. 14370, México, Distrito Federal, México Escuela de Dietética y Nutrición, ISSSTE, Callejón Vía San Fernando #12, México, Distrito Federal, México
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Gårdebjer EM, Cuffe JSM, Pantaleon M, Wlodek ME, Moritz KM. Periconceptional alcohol consumption causes fetal growth restriction and increases glycogen accumulation in the late gestation rat placenta. Placenta 2013; 35:50-7. [PMID: 24239160 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol consumption is a common social practice among women of childbearing age. With 50% of pregnancies being unplanned, many embryos are exposed to alcohol prior to pregnancy recognition and formation of the placenta. The effects of periconceptional (PC) alcohol exposure on the placenta are unknown. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to alcohol (12.5% v/v ad libitum) from 4 days prior to 4 days after conception and effects on placental growth, morphology and gene/protein expression examined at embryonic day (E) 20. RESULTS PC ethanol (EtOH)-exposed fetuses were growth restricted and their placental/body weight ratio and placental cross-sectional area were increased. This was associated with an increase in cross-sectional area of the junctional zone and glycogen cells, especially in PC EtOH-exposed placentas from female fetuses. Junctional Glut1 and Igf2 mRNA levels were increased. Labyrinth Igf1 mRNA levels were decreased in placentas from both sexes, but protein IGF1R levels were decreased in placentas from male fetuses only. Labyrinth mRNA levels of Slc38a2 were decreased and Vegfa were increased in placentas following PC EtOH-exposure but only placentas from female fetuses exhibited increased Kdr expression. Augmented expression of the protective enzyme 11βHsd2 was found in PC EtOH-exposed labyrinth. DISCUSSION These observations are consistent with a stress response, apparent well beyond the period of EtOH-exposure and demonstrate that PC EtOH alters placental development in a sex specific manner. CONCLUSION Public awareness should be increased to educate women about how excessive drinking even before falling pregnant may impact on placental development and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Gårdebjer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - J S M Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - M Pantaleon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - M E Wlodek
- The Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - K M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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Tunc-Ozcan E, Ullmann TM, Shukla PK, Redei EE. Low-dose thyroxine attenuates autism-associated adverse effects of fetal alcohol in male offspring's social behavior and hippocampal gene expression. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2013; 37:1986-95. [PMID: 23763370 PMCID: PMC3805686 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is characterized by neurodevelopmental anomalies manifesting in cognitive and behavioral deficits in the offspring with diverse severities. Social behavior is affected in FASD, and these deficits overlap with those of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Identifying some of the molecular characteristics related to ASD in an animal model of FASD could ultimately provide details on the underlying molecular mechanisms of both disorders that could lead to novel treatments. METHODS Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats received the following diets: control (C; ad libitum standard laboratory chow), nutritional control pair-fed (PF), ethanol (EtOH), or an EtOH diet supplemented with 0.3, 1.5, or 7.5 mg thyroxine (T4)/l in the diet. Social behavior and memory were tested in the adult offspring. Plasma total T4, free T3 (fT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured. Hippocampal expression of Gabrb3, Ube3a, Nr2b, Rasgrf1, and Dio3 were measured by RT-qPCR and protein levels of Mecp2 and Slc25a12 by Western blotting. RESULTS Adult male offspring of EtOH dams showed elevated fT3 and low TSH levels. Adult male, but not female, offspring of EtOH dams exhibited social behavior and memory deficits. Expression of autism candidates, Gabrb3, Ube3a, Mecp2, and Slc25a12, was significantly increased in the hippocampus of male offspring of EtOH dams. Hippocampal Nr2b and Dio3 were also increased, while Rasgrf1 was decreased in the same population. Peripheral thyroid function, social behavioral deficits, and altered expression of the above genes were normalized by simultaneous administration of 0.3 mg/l T4 in the EtOH diet. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that social interaction deficits of FASD share molecular mechanism with ASD by showing altered hippocampal expression of several ASD candidate genes. Social interaction deficits as well as the gene expression changes in the offspring of EtOH-consuming dams can be reversed by low dose of thyroid hormone supplementation to the mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pradeep K. Shukla
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
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Abstract
Alcohol is one of the commonest illicit psychoactive substances consumed globally and is the world's third largest risk factor for disease and disability. It has been reported to have multiple effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis and the functioning of the thyroid gland. It has been reported to cause direct suppression of thyroid function by cellular toxicity, and indirect suppression by blunting thyrotropin-releasing hormone response. It causes a decrease of peripheral thyroid hormones during chronic use and in withdrawal. Alcohol use may also confer some protective effect against thyroid nodularity, goiter, and thyroid cancer. This article presents a review of the clinically relevant effects of alcohol on the functioning of the thyroid gland and also discusses the effect of medication used in treatment of alcohol dependence on thyroid function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Koushik Sinha Deb
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that alterations in early nutrition programme physiological changes in adulthood. In the present study, we determined the effects of undernutrition during gestation and lactation on the programming of thyroid function in adult rat offspring. Perinatal undernutrition was achieved by a 40 % food restriction in female Wistar rats from the mating day to weaning. On postpartum day 21, the offspring of the control and food-restricted dams were weaned and given free access to a commercial diet until adulthood. The results showed that undernourished rats exhibited decreased 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) levels but had normal thyroxine (T4) and thyrotropin (TSH) levels at weaning; on day 90, these rats displayed a significant flip, exhibiting normalised T3(total and free) and total T4levels, but low free T4and persistently higher TSH levels, which were maintained even on postnatal day 140. This profile was accompanied by a scarce fat depot, a lower RMR and an exacerbated sympathetic brown adipose tissue (BAT) tone (deiodinase type 2 expression) in basal conditions. Moreover, when a functional challenge (cold exposure) was applied, the restricted group exhibited partial changes in TSH (29v.100 %) and T4(non-responsev.17 %) levels, a significant decrease in leptin levels (75v. 32 %) and the maintenance of a sympathetic BAT over-response (higher noradrenaline levels) in comparison with the control group. The findings of the present study suggest that undernutrition during the perinatal period produces permanent changes in the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis with consequent low body weight and decreased RMR and facultative thermogenesis. We hypothesise that these changes predispose individuals to exhibiting adult subclinical hypothyroidism.
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Long-term health consequences of early-life exposure to substance abuse: an epigenetic perspective. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2013; 4:269-79. [DOI: 10.1017/s2040174413000123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of the nutritional or other environmental stimuli during critical periods of development in the long-term programming of organ systems and homeostatic pathways of the organism. The adverse influences early in development and particularly during intrauterine life have been shown to programme the risks for adverse health outcomes in adult life. The mechanisms underlying developmental programming remain still unclear. However, increasing evidence has been accumulated indicating the important role of epigenetic regulation including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs in the developmental programming of late-onset pathologies, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The maternal substance abuse during pregnancy, including smoking, drinking and psychoactive drug intake, is one of the important factors determining the process of developmental programming in modern human beings. The impact of prenatal drug/substance exposure on infant and early childhood development is currently in the main focus. The long-term programming effects of such exposures on aging and associated pathologies, however, have been reported only rarely. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of recent research findings which indicate that maternal substance abuse during pregnancy and/or neonatal period can programme not only a child's health status, but also can cause long-term or even life-long health outcomes via mechanisms of epigenetic memory.
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Howerton CL, Bale TL. Prenatal programing: at the intersection of maternal stress and immune activation. Horm Behav 2012; 62:237-42. [PMID: 22465455 PMCID: PMC3568743 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to prenatal insults such as maternal stress and pathogenic infections has been associated with an increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanisms by which these programing events occur likely involve complex interactions between the maternal hormonal milieu, the placenta, and the developing fetus, in addition to compounding factors such as fetal sex and gestational stage of development. Despite the diverse biological processes involved, examination of common pathways in maternal stress and immune activation offers intriguing possibilities for elucidation of mechanistic insight. Further, the endocrine and sex-specific placenta is a tissue poised to be a key mediator in fetal programing, located at the intersection of the maternal and embryonic environments. In this review, we will discuss the potential shared mechanisms of maternal stress and immune pathway activation, with a particular focus on the important contribution and role of the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. Howerton
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Tracy L. Bale
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Abstract
Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a significant field of scientific exploration primarily because of its negative effects on the developing fetus, which is specifically defined as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Though the effects on the mother are less explored compared with those on the fetus, alcohol produces multiple effects on the maternal vascular system. Alcohol has major effects on systemic hemodynamic variables, endocrine axes, and paracrine factors regulating vascular resistance, as well as vascular reactivity. Alcohol is also reported to have significant effects on the reproductive vasculature including alterations in blood flow, vessel remodeling, and angiogenesis. Data presented in this review will illustrate the importance of the maternal vasculature in the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and that more studies are warranted in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth Ramadoss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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30
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Fetal stress and programming of hypoxic/ischemic-sensitive phenotype in the neonatal brain: mechanisms and possible interventions. Prog Neurobiol 2012; 98:145-65. [PMID: 22627492 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence of epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies has clearly shown a close link between adverse in utero environment and the increased risk of neurological, psychological and psychiatric disorders in later life. Fetal stresses, such as hypoxia, malnutrition, and fetal exposure to nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and glucocorticoids may directly or indirectly act at cellular and molecular levels to alter the brain development and result in programming of heightened brain vulnerability to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and the development of neurological diseases in the postnatal life. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood. However, glucocorticoids may play a crucial role in epigenetic programming of neurological disorders of fetal origins. This review summarizes the recent studies about the effects of fetal stress on the abnormal brain development, focusing on the cellular, molecular and epigenetic mechanisms and highlighting the central effects of glucocorticoids on programming of hypoxic-ischemic-sensitive phenotype in the neonatal brain, which may enhance the understanding of brain pathophysiology resulting from fetal stress and help explore potential targets of timely diagnosis, prevention and intervention in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and other brain disorders.
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31
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Abstract
The ways in which epigenetic modifications fix the effects of early environmental events, ensuring sustained responses to transient stimuli that result in modified gene expression patterns and phenotypes later in life, are a topic of considerable interest. This article focuses on recently discovered mechanisms and calls into question prevailing views about the dynamics, positions, and functions of epigenetic marks. Most epigenetic studies have addressed the long-term effects of environmental stressors on a small number of epigenetic marks, at the global or individual gene level, in humans and in animal models. In parallel, increasing numbers of studies based on high-throughput technologies are revealing additional complexity in epigenetic processes by highlighting the importance of crosstalk between different epigenetic marks in humans and mice. A number of studies focusing on metabolic programming and the developmental origin of health and disease have identified links between early nutrition, epigenetic processes, and long-term illness. The existence of a self-propagating epigenetic cycle has been shown. Moreover, recent studies have shown an obvious sexual dimorphism both for programming trajectories and in response to the same environmental insult. Despite recent progress, however, we are still far from understanding how, when, and where environmental stressors disturb key epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, the need to identify original key marks and monitor the changes they undergo throughout development, during an individual's lifetime, or over several generations remains a challenging issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gabory
- INRA, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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Gabory A, Attig L, Junien C. Epigenetic mechanisms involved in developmental nutritional programming. World J Diabetes 2011; 2:164-75. [PMID: 22010058 PMCID: PMC3196195 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v2.i10.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2011] [Revised: 08/31/2011] [Accepted: 09/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The ways in which epigenetic modifications fix the effects of early environmental events, ensuring sustained responses to transient stimuli, which result in modified gene expression patterns and phenotypes later in life, is a topic of considerable interest. This review focuses on recently discovered mechanisms and calls into question prevailing views about the dynamics, position and functions of epigenetic marks. Most epigenetic studies have addressed the long-term effects on a small number of epigenetic marks, at the global or individual gene level, of environmental stressors in humans and animal models. In parallel, increasing numbers of studies based on high-throughput technologies and focusing on humans and mice have revealed additional complexity in epigenetic processes, by highlighting the importance of crosstalk between the different epigenetic marks. A number of studies focusing on the developmental origin of health and disease and metabolic programming have identified links between early nutrition, epigenetic processes and long-term illness. The existence of a self-propagating epigenetic cycle has been demonstrated. Moreover, recent studies demonstrate an obvious sexual dimorphism both for programming trajectories and in response to the same environmental insult. Despite recent progress, we are still far from understanding how, when and where environmental stressors disturb key epigenetic mechanisms. Thus, identifying the original key marks and their changes throughout development during an individual’s lifetime or over several generations remains a challenging issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gabory
- Anne Gabory, Linda Attig, Claudine Junien, Developmental Biology and Reproduction, National Institute for Agronomic Research, National Veterinary school, National Center For Scientific Research, Jouy en Josas, France
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33
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Sittig LJ, Shukla PK, Herzing LBK, Redei EE. Strain-specific vulnerability to alcohol exposure in utero via hippocampal parent-of-origin expression of deiodinase-III. FASEB J 2011; 25:2313-24. [PMID: 21429942 PMCID: PMC3114527 DOI: 10.1096/fj.10-179234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to alcohol is thought to be the most prevalent nongenetic cause of a wide range of neurodevelopmental deficits. Insufficient thyroid hormone levels are one mechanism that hampers development of the alcohol-exposed brain, and we hypothesized that altered dosage of the imprinted thyroid hormone-inactivating gene deiodinase-III (Dio3) is responsible. To follow parent-of-origin allelic expression of Dio3 in the fetal and adult offspring of alcohol-consuming and control dams, we reciprocally crossed 2 polymorphic rat strains. In the frontal cortex, prenatal alcohol exposure altered imprinting patterns and total expression of Dio3 in the fetus and produced a permanent hypothyroid milieu in the adult. In the hippocampus, alcohol affected the paternal and total expression of Dio3 in the fetus and in the adult male, where thyroid hormone levels were concomitantly increased. Hippocampus-dependent behavioral deficits were identified exclusively in males, suggesting they are dependent on aberrant allelic Dio3 expression. None of these effects were observed in offspring of the reciprocal cross. Thus, genetic background and sex modify vulnerability to prenatal alcohol via brain region-specific expression of Dio3. This finding implies that phenotypic heterogeneity in human fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can be linked to genetic vulnerability in affected brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Sittig
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, and
| | - Pradeep K. Shukla
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, and
| | - Laura B. K. Herzing
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Research Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, and
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34
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Shukla PK, Sittig LJ, Ullmann TM, Redei EE. Candidate placental biomarkers for intrauterine alcohol exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2010; 35:559-65. [PMID: 21143252 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01373.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of nongenetic mental retardation and other neurodevelopmental deficits. Earlier diagnosis of FASD would greatly improve prognosis for individuals and families affected by this disorder. Here, we identify candidate placental biomarkers in an animal model of FASD that recapitulates many aspects of human FASD. METHODS Pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) females were assigned to 1 of 3 diet groups on gestation day 8 (G8): Ethanol (E), Pair-fed (PF) or Control (C). E dams received ethanol-containing liquid diet and PF dams received isocaloric liquid diet in an amount that matched the paired E dam's diet consumption the previous day. Control dams received laboratory chow and water ad libitum. Whole placentae from individual fetuses were collected on gestational day 21 (G21) for analyses. Western blotting and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were used to measure protein and mRNA levels of placental iodothyronine deiodinase III (Dio3), thyroid hormone receptor α1 (TRα1), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Placental mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf-2), pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 2 (Phlda2), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (Cdkn1c) were also measured. RESULTS Placental protein and mRNA levels from ethanol (E)-consuming dams showed the following changes: increased Dio3, decreased TRα1, and decreased GR compared to both C and PF dams. Placental mRNA levels of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) markers Igf-2, Phlda2, and Cdkn1c were altered similarly in PF and E dams. CONCLUSIONS We propose the specific pattern of increased Dio3 and decreased TRα1 and GR protein levels in the placenta as selective biomarker for intrauterine alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep K Shukla
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Schaffer DJ, Tunc-Ozcan E, Shukla PK, Volenec A, Redei EE. Nuclear orphan receptor Nor-1 contributes to depressive behavior in the Wistar-Kyoto rat model of depression. Brain Res 2010; 1362:32-9. [PMID: 20851110 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Revised: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 09/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The current study explored the effects of prolonged antidepressant treatment on mRNA levels of two nuclear receptors in specific brain regions of an animal model of depression, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. Both nuclear receptors have been implicated in the development or treatment of depression. The expression of nuclear orphan receptor-1 (Nor-1), a member of the NR4A nuclear orphan receptor family, is induced by electroconvulsive shock, an effective treatment for depression. Deficit in the levels or function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) found in depressed patients has been causally implicated in depression, as this deficit is normalized by antidepressant treatments. Baseline levels of amygdalar Nor-1 and GR mRNA were higher in the WKYs compared to the comparison control Sprague-Dawley rats (SD). Prolonged treatment with the antidepressant desipramine (DMI) decreased the expression of both transcripts in the WKY strain concomitantly with decreased immobility in the forced swim test (FST) of depressive behavior. Using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeted against Nor-1, we investigated the direct contribution of elevated Nor-1 expression in the amygdala of WKY to their exaggerated depressive behavior in the FST. After validating the shRNA targeting of Nor-1 in vitro, Nor-1 shRNA containing vector was infused intracerebroventricularly, using a linear polyethylenimine (PEI)-containing in vivo gene delivery system. Repeated administration of Nor-1 shRNA ameliorated the depressive behavior of WKYs in the FST and decreased amygdalar Nor-1 mRNA levels without affecting GR mRNA levels. These data demonstrate that brain region-specific changes in GR expression in response to DMI are strain dependent and that elevated amygdalar Nor-1 expression can contribute to depressive behavior in the WKY model of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, TheAsher Center,NorthwesternUniversity Feinberg School ofMedicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Shukla PK, Sittig LJ, Andrus BM, Schaffer DJ, Batra KK, Redei EE. Prenatal thyroxine treatment disparately affects peripheral and amygdala thyroid hormone levels. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010; 35:791-7. [PMID: 20005050 PMCID: PMC2875313 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
A prenatal hypothyroid state is associated with behavioral abnormalities in adulthood. Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats exhibit hypothyroidism and increased depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Thus, the WKY could illuminate the mechanisms by which the reversal of developmental hypothyroidism in humans and animals results in adult behavioral improvement. We examined the outcome of maternal thyroxine (T4) treatment on thyroid hormone-regulated functions and adult behavior of the WKY offspring. Pregnant WKY dams completed gestation with and without T4 administration and their adult male offspring were tested. Measures included depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, and thyroid hormone (TH) concentrations in both plasma and specific brain regions. In addition, the expression of two proteins affecting thyroid hormone trafficking and metabolism, monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT-8) and iodothyronine deiodinase type III (Dio3), and of several behavior-altering molecules, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), prepro-thyrotropin releasing hormone (prepro-TRH) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), were determined in the hippocampus and amygdala of the offspring. Prenatal T4 treatment of WKYs did not affect adult depressive behavior but increased anxiety-like behavior and decreased plasma levels of THs. In the hippocampus of males treated with T4 in utero, Dio3 and MCT-8 protein levels were increased, while in the amygdala, there were increases of free T4, MCT-8, GR, prepro-TRH protein and CRH mRNA levels. These results show that T4 administration in utero programs adult peripheral and amygdalar thyroid hormone levels divergently, and that the resulting upregulation of anxiety-related genes in the amygdala could be responsible for the exacerbated anxiety-like behavior seen in WKYs after prenatal T4 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Eva E. Redei
- Corresponding author: Eva E. Redei, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Asher Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, (312) 908-1791 (phone), (312) 503-0466 (fax),
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Sittig LJ, Redei EE. Paternal genetic contribution influences fetal vulnerability to maternal alcohol consumption in a rat model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10058. [PMID: 20383339 PMCID: PMC2850935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol exposure causes in the offspring a collection of permanent physiological and neuropsychological deficits collectively termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The timing and amount of exposure cannot fully explain the substantial variability among affected individuals, pointing to genetic influences that mediate fetal vulnerability. However, the aspects of vulnerability that depend on the mother, the father, or both, are not known. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using the outbred Sprague-Dawley (SD) and inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat strains as well as their reciprocal crosses, we administered ethanol (E), pair-fed (PF), or control (C) diets to the pregnant dams. The dams' plasma levels of free thyroxine (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (fT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured to elucidate potential differences in maternal thyroid hormonal environment, which affects specific aspects of FASD. We then compared alcohol-exposed, pair fed, and control offspring of each fetal strain on gestational day 21 (G21) to identify maternal and paternal genetic effects on bodyweight and placental weight of male and female fetuses. CONCLUSIONS SD and BN dams exhibited different baseline hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid function. Moreover, the thyroid function of SD dams was more severely affected by alcohol consumption while that of BN dams was relatively resistant. This novel finding suggests that genetic differences in maternal thyroid function are one source of maternal genetic effects on fetal vulnerability to FASD. The fetal vulnerability to decreased bodyweight after alcohol exposure depended on the genetic contribution of both parents, not only maternal contribution as previously thought. In contrast, the effect of maternal alcohol consumption on placental weight was consistent and not strain-dependent. Interestingly, placental weight in fetuses with different paternal genetic contributions exhibited opposite responses to caloric restriction (pair feeding). In summary, these novel findings demonstrate both maternal and paternal genetic contributions to in utero vulnerability to alcohol, refining our understanding of the genetically-based heterogeneity seen in human FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Sittig
- Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Eva E. Redei
- Asher Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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Abstract
The phenotype of an individual is the result of complex interactions between genome, epigenome and current, past and ancestral environment leading to a lifelong remodelling of the epigenomes. The genetic information expression contained in the genome is controlled by labile chromatin-associated epigenetic marks. Epigenetic misprogramming during development is widely thought to have a persistent effect on the health of the offspring and may even be transmitted to the next generation. The epigenome serves as an interface between the environment and the genome. Dietary factors, including folate involved in C1 metabolism, and other social and lifestyle exposures have a profound effect on many aspects of health including ageing and do so, at least partly, through interactions with the genome, which result in altered gene expression with consequences for cell function and health throughout the life course. Depending on the nature and intensity of the environmental insult, the critical spatiotemporal windows and developmental or lifelong processes involved, epigenetic alterations can lead to permanent changes in tissue and organ structure and function or to phenotypic changes that can (or cannot) be reversed using appropriate epigenetic tools. Moreover, the flexibility of epigenetic marks may make it possible for environmental, nutritional and hormonal factors or endocrine disruptors to alter, during a particular spatiotemporal window in a sex-specific manner, the sex-specific methylation or demethylation of specific CpG and/or histone modifications underlying sex-specific expression of a substantial proportion of genes. Moreover, genetic factors, the environment and stochastic events change the epigenetic landscape during the lifetime of an individual. Epigenetic alterations leading to gene expression dysregulation accumulate during ageing and are important in tumorigenesis and age-related diseases. Several encouraging trials suggest that prevention and therapy of age- and lifestyle-related diseases by individualised tailoring to optimal epigenetic diets or drugs are conceivable. However, these interventions will require intense efforts to unravel the complexity of these epigenetic, genetic and environment interactions and to evaluate their potential reversibility with minimal side effects.
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Armelagos GJ, Goodman AH, Harper KN, Blakey ML. Enamel hypoplasia and early mortality: Bioarcheological support for the Barker hypothesis. Evol Anthropol 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/evan.20239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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40
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Rodrigues AL, de Moura EG, Passos MCF, Dutra SCP, Lisboa PC. Postnatal early overnutrition changes the leptin signalling pathway in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis of young and adult rats. J Physiol 2009; 587:2647-61. [PMID: 19403617 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.169045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Postnatal early overnutrition (EO) is a risk factor for obesity in adult life. Rats raised in a small litter can develop hyperinsulinaemia, hyperphagia, hyperleptinaemia and hypertension as adults. Since leptin regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and the metabolism of thyroid hormones, we studied the leptin signalling pathway in pituitary and thyroid glands of the postnatal EO model. To induce EO, at the third day of lactation the litter size was reduced to three pups per litter (SL group). In control litters (NL group), the litter size was adjusted to 10 pups per litter. Body weight and food intake were monitored. Rat offspring were killed at 21 (weaning) and 180 days old (adulthood). Plasma thyroid hormones, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Proteins of the leptin signalling pathway were analysed by Western blotting. Body weight of offspring in the SL group was higher from the seventh day of lactation (+33%, P < 0.05) until 180 days old (+18%, P < 0.05). Offspring in the SL group showed higher visceral fat mass at 21 and 180 days old (+176 and +52%, respectively, P < 0.05), but plasma leptin was higher only at 21 days (+88%, P < 0.05). The SL offspring showed higher plasma TSH, 3,5,3'-triiodothronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)) at 21 days (+60, +91 and +68%, respectively, P < 0.05), while the opposite was observed at 180 days regarding thyroid hormones (T(3), -10%; and T(4), -30%, P < 0.05), with no difference in TSH levels. In hypothalamus, no change was observed in the leptin signalling pathway at 21 days. However, lower janus thyrosine kinase 2 (JAK2) and phosphorilated-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3) content were detected in adulthood. In pituitary, the SL group presented higher leptin receptors (Ob-R), JAK2 and p-STAT3 content at 21 days and lower JAK2 and STAT3 content at 180 days old. In contrast, in thyroid, the Ob-R expression was lower in young SL rats, while the adult SL group presented higher Ob-R and JAK2 content. We showed that postnatal EO induces short- and long-term effects upon the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. These changes may help to explain future development of metabolic and endocrine dysfunctions, such as metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananda Lages Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ramadoss J, Tress U, Chen WJA, Cudd TA. Maternal adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and thyroid hormone responses to all three-trimester equivalent repeated binge alcohol exposure: ovine model. Alcohol 2008; 42:199-205. [PMID: 18420114 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2007.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2007] [Revised: 12/07/2007] [Accepted: 12/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-mediated alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function are two proposed mechanisms by which alcohol causes neurodevelopmental injury to the fetus. We previously reported that third-trimester equivalent only alcohol exposure in sheep results in increases in the maternal and fetal adrenocorticotropin and cortisol levels, and decreases in the fetal thyroid hormones T(3) and T(4) and maternal T(3) levels. In this study, we wished to characterize the maternal HPA and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid hormone responses to repeated binge alcohol exposure during all three-trimester equivalents of pregnancy in sheep. Pregnant ewes received intravenous infusions of alcohol at doses of 0.75, 1.25, or 1.75 g/kg over 1h with mean peak blood alcohol concentrations of 90, 126, or 183 mg/dl, respectively, on 3 consecutive days each week beginning on gestational day (GD) 4. Maternal blood samples were collected on GDs 6, 40, 90, and 132. Maternal plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol increased in response to the high alcohol dose, and the magnitude of these elevations was not different across gestation. Thyroid hormone levels were not different when comparing among treatment groups at any time point during gestation. However, there was an ontogenetic decrease in the maternal T(3) concentration beginning between GDs 6 and 40 and a decrease in maternal T(4) and free T(4) beginning between GDs 40 and 90. The current findings suggest that (1) maternal alcohol consumption at any time during gestation stimulates the HPA axis, (2) maternal HPA responsiveness to alcohol does not change across gestation, (3) binge alcohol exposure at these doses lasting all three-trimester equivalent of human brain development does not reduce maternal thyroid hormone concentration, (4) alterations in fetal thyroid function in response to alcohol exposure do not occur as a result of diminished maternal thyroid hormone contribution, and (5) there is an ontogenetic decrease in ovine maternal thyroid hormones over gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth Ramadoss
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Michael E. DeBakey Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Abstract
Intrauterine programming is the process by which the structure and function of tissues are altered permanently by insults acting during early development. In mammals, the placenta controls intrauterine development by supplying oxygen and nutrients, and by regulating the bioavailability of specific hormones involved in foetal growth and development. Consequently, the placenta is likely to have a key role in mediating the programming effects of suboptimal conditions during development. This review examines placental phenotype in different environmental conditions and places particular emphasis on regulation of placental nutrient transfer capacity and endocrine function by insults known to cause intrauterine programming. More specifically, it examines the effects of a range of environmental challenges on the size, morphology, blood flow and transporter abundance of the placenta and on its rate of consumption and production of nutrients. In addition, it considers the role of hormone synthesis and metabolism by the placenta in matching intrauterine development to the prevailing environmental conditions. The adaptive responses that the placenta can make to compensate for suboptimal conditions in utero are also assessed in relation to the strategies adopted to maximise foetal growth and viability at birth. Environmentally-induced changes in placental phenotype may provide a mechanism for transmitting the memory of early events to the foetus later in gestation, which leads to intrauterine programming of tissue development long after the original insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Fowden
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Davis JR, Li Y, Rankin CH. Effects of developmental exposure to ethanol on Caenorhabditis elegans. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2008; 32:853-67. [PMID: 18336629 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2008.00639.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol exposure on physical development, reproduction, and life expectancy of Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic nematode worm. It has a small nervous system of 302 neurons and a short lifespan of 2 to 3 weeks. METHODS In this study, the worms were chronically exposed to varying concentrations of ethanol for different periods of their life: for their entire lifespan, during larval development only, and during adulthood only. In addition, the worms were exposed to ethanol acutely during different stages of embryonic development. RESULTS Chronic exposure to ethanol during larval development temporarily delayed physical growth, slowed development, delayed the onset of reproductive maturity, and decreased both reproductive fecundity and longevity. Chronic exposure to ethanol beginning when worms completed development and reached reproductive maturity resulted in reduced C. elegans body length, decreased reproductive fecundity, and life expectancy. Finally, acute embryonic exposure of C. elegans eggs to high concentrations of ethanol at different stages of development resulted in a lower probability of exposed eggs hatching into larval worms depending on when eggs were exposed during development. Furthermore, some of the worms that did hatch displayed distinct physical dysmorphologies as a consequence of acute ethanol exposure during embryonic development. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that exposing C. elegans to ethanol during critical development periods results in characteristic phenotypic outcomes. Thus, C. elegans offers a novel model for exploring the mechanisms by which ethanol exposure affects development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R Davis
- Brain Research Centre and Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Prenatal ethanol exposure alters core body temperature and corticosterone rhythms in adult male rats. Alcohol 2007; 41:567-75. [PMID: 18047910 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2007.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Revised: 09/19/2007] [Accepted: 09/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol's effects on the developing brain include alterations in morphology and biochemistry of the hypothalamus. To examine the potential functional consequences of ethanol's interference with hypothalamic differentiation, we studied the long-term effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on basal circadian rhythms of core body temperature (CBT) and heart rate (HR). We also examined the late afternoon surge in corticosterone (CORT). Core body temperature and HR rhythms were studied in separate groups of animals at 4, 8, and 20 months of age. The normal late afternoon rise in plasma CORT was examined in freely moving male rats at 6 months of age via an indwelling right atrial cannula. Results showed that the CBT circadian rhythm exhibited an earlier rise after the nadir of the rhythm in fetal alcohol-exposed (FAE) males at all ages compared to controls. At 8 months of age, the amplitude of the CBT circadian rhythm in FAE males was significantly reduced to the level observed in controls at 20 months. No significant effects of prenatal ethanol exposure were observed on basal HR rhythm at any age. The diurnal rise in CORT secretion was blunted and prolonged in 6-month-old FAE males compared to controls. Both control groups exhibited a robust surge in CORT secretion around the onset of the dark phase of the light cycle, which peaked at 7:30 p.m. Whereas FAE males exhibited a linear rise beginning in mid afternoon, which peaked at 9:30 p.m. These results indicate that exposure to ethanol during the period of hypothalamic development can alter the long-term regulation of circadian rhythms in specific physiological systems.
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Csaba G, Kovács P, Pállinger E. Changes in the endorphin and serotonin content of rat immune cells during adulthood following maternal exposure to ethanol during pregnancy and lactation. Alcohol 2006; 38:111-6. [PMID: 16839857 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2005.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2005] [Revised: 04/13/2005] [Accepted: 11/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lactating and lactating/pregnant rat dams consumed either 3% (vol/vol) ethanol (as the sole source of fluid) between the 1st and 21st days after delivery or 15% (vol/vol) ethanol for 24h on the 3rd day after delivery. Offspring of ethanol-consuming dams were compared with offspring of untreated control dams. In other groups, offspring of mothers given 3% ethanol during pregnancy were also compared to untreated controls. When the offspring were 2 months of age, endorphin and serotonin contents of immune cells (lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes, mast cells of the peritoneal fluid, and lymphocytes of the thymus) were determined by hormone-specific antibodies and flow cytometric as well as confocal microscopic analysis. In rats exposed to ethanol through breast-feeding, endorphin content significantly decreased in thymic cells independent of the alcohol concentration (and duration) during treatment. Each type of peritoneal cell contained significantly more serotonin after 3% alcohol treatment. For the prenatally exposed offspring, serotonin content significantly decreased for both ethanol treatment conditions during pregnancy. Remarkably, one day of exposure to 15% ethanol on the third day of pregnancy was sufficient to induce this enduring change in serotonin content of immune cells of offspring. Considering that endorphin and serotonin are important immunomodulators, these alcohol-induced changes could produce enduring influences on immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Csaba
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, H-1445 PO Box 370, Nagyvarad ter 4, Budapest, Hungary.
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Wilcoxon JS, Kuo AG, Disterhoft JF, Redei EE. Behavioral deficits associated with fetal alcohol exposure are reversed by prenatal thyroid hormone treatment: a role for maternal thyroid hormone deficiency in FAE. Mol Psychiatry 2005; 10:961-71. [PMID: 15940294 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mp.4001694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Children prenatally exposed to alcohol typically exhibit behavioral abnormalities, including hyperactivity, learning deficits, and an increased prevalence of depression. Similar impairments are found in children of hypothyroid mothers, and we have shown that alcohol-consuming rat dams have suppressed hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) function. Therefore, we hypothesized that suppressed maternal thyroid hormonal milieu may contribute to the deleterious consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure. We aimed first to confirm and then to reverse the behavioral deficits in the fetal alcohol exposed (FAE) rat offspring by administration of thyroxine (T4) to the alcohol-consuming dams. Adult offspring prenatally exposed to ethanol (FAE; 35% ethanol-derived calories), pair-fed (PF) or control (C) diets were tested in the Morris water maze (MWM), the forced swim test (FST), and the open field test (OFT) to assess spatial learning, depressive behavior, and exploratory behavior/anxiety, respectively. Adult FAE offspring took longer to locate a hidden platform in the MWM and showed increased depressive behavior in the FST both of which were reversed by administration of T4 to the alcohol-consuming mother. We found sex and brain region-specific alterations in expression of genes involved in these behaviors in FAE adult offspring. Specifically, decreased hippocampal GAP-43 mRNA levels in adult FAE females and decreased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression in the amygdala of male and female FAE offspring were observed. The decreased mRNA levels of GAP-43 and GR were normalized by T4 treatment to the alcohol-consuming mother. Our results suggest that the suppressed HPT function of the alcohol-consuming mother contributes to the behavioral and cognitive dysfunctions observed in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Wilcoxon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, The Asher Center, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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