Altered Fetal Skeletal Muscle Nutrient Metabolism Following an Adverse In Utero Environment and the Modulation of Later Life Insulin Sensitivity

Abstract

The importance of the in utero environment as a contributor to later life metabolic disease has been demonstrated in both human and animal studies. In this review, we consider how disruption of normal fetal growth may impact skeletal muscle metabolic development, ultimately leading to insulin resistance and decreased insulin sensitivity, a key precursor to later life metabolic disease. In cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) associated with hypoxia, where the fetus fails to reach its full growth potential, low birth weight (LBW) is often the outcome, and early in postnatal life, LBW individuals display modifications in the insulin-signaling pathway, a critical precursor to insulin resistance. In this review, we will present literature detailing the classical development of insulin resistance in IUGR, but also discuss how this impaired development, when challenged with a postnatal Western diet, may potentially contribute to the development of later life insulin resistance. Considering the important role of the skeletal muscle in insulin resistance pathogenesis, understanding the in utero programmed origins of skeletal muscle deficiencies in insulin sensitivity and how they may interact with an adverse postnatal environment, is an important step in highlighting potential therapeutic options for LBW offspring born of pregnancies characterized by placental insufficiency.

The Value of Legume Foods as a Dietary Source of Phytoprostanes and Phytofurans Is Dependent on Species, Variety, and Growing Conditions

“…Indeed, the structural coincidences between plant and mammals oxylipins suggest the ability of PhytoPs and PhytoFs to have similar mechanisms of action that could modify a range of molecular pathways mimicking the activity that has already been described for the mammalian compounds . However, to date, only PhytoPs have been (partially) characterized on their ability to modulate the activity of antigen‐presenting cells and the immune response, by polarizing this toward Th2 (pro‐allergenic) or as anti‐inflammatory compounds capable of modulating the translocation of NF‐κB …”

Low-protein diet does not alter reproductive, biochemical, and hematological parameters in pregnant Wistar rats

“…In rats, for example, offspring exposed to protein-restriction during pregnancy and lactation exhibit augmentation of arterial blood pressure ( 5 , 6 ), insulin resistance ( 7 ), and higher levels of adipose tissue in adult life ( 8 ). It is well established that maternal diet induced-hypertension is related to mechanisms that include reduced nephron morphology and function, reduced glomerular filtration rate, dysfunction on the rennin angiotensin-aldosterone system ( 9 ), as well as sympathetic-respiratory dysfunctions ( 10 ).…”

Nutrition in Pregnancy: Optimising Maternal Diet and Fetal Adaptations to Altered Nutrient Supply

“…This paper highlights the importance of understanding how an early life environment predisposes offspring to potential detrimental responses to postnatal adverse situations. In a review by Dunlop et al ., the impact of fetal growth restriction on postnatal metabolism in skeletal muscle, but also the effect of a “second hit”, such as a Western diet in postnatal life, is presented [ 12 ].…”