Blunted Autonomic Responses and Low-Grade Inflammation in Mongolian Adults Born at Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) has been considered as a risk factor for adult hypertension that is associated with deterioration of autonomic functions and low-grade inflammation. To explore the above effects of LBW, we measured blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability during postural change from a supine position to a sitting position in 21 healthy Mongolian adults aged 23-34 years: 4 with LBW (birth weight < 2,500 g), 13 with normal birth weight (NBW, 2,500 g ≤ birth weight < 4,000 g), and 4 with high birth weight (HBW, ≥ 4,000 g). Mongolian population is known to have higher prevalence of hypertension. The ratio of low frequency (LF, 0.04-0.15 Hz) to high frequency components (HF, 0.15-0.40 Hz) was used as an index of sympathetic nerve activity, and HF was used as an index of parasympathetic nerve activity. In contrast to the NBW group, the LBW and HBW groups showed no significant increase in heart rate, systolic BP and LF/HF following postural change. We also measured blood cell counts and other blood parameters related to inflammation. After adjusting for age, BMI, sex and family history of hypertension, LBW was retained as an independent predictor only for higher counts of leukocytes (β = −0.51, p < 0.05), basophils (β = −0.62, p < 0.01), eosinophils (β = −0.83, p < 0.001), and platelets (β = −0.61, p < 0.05). We propose that LBW leads to blunted autonomic responses and low-grade inflammation in seemingly healthy Mongolian adults.

A systematic review to investigate whether birth weight affects the autonomic nervous system in adulthood

“…The increase in low-grade inflammation and impaired (reduced) autonomic function in young Mongolians with LBW may be a determinant for the development of SAH according to Bao et al 19 Along the same lines, the study performed by Ward et al 16 with psychological stressors also indicated the impairment of ANS through baroreflex control of cardiovascular function analysis in women with LBW, suggesting that reduced intrauterine size may result in increased chances of hypertension and further CVDs.…”

“…In general, the purpose of the studies was to investigate whether there is a relationship between ANS and BW during adulthood. For this, HR was measured in all of them, and some measured other variables that could have an influence, such as blood pressure (BP) by Jones et al, 15 Ward et al, 16 Phillips & Barker et al, 18 Bao et al, 19 and Weitz et al, 20 psychological stress by Ward et al 16 and Jones et al, 15 muscle electrical activity by Weitz et al, 20 lung capacity by Haraldsdottir et al, 21 insulin resistance by Perkiömäki et al, 17 blood collection by Phillips & Barker et al, 18 Weitz et al, 20 Perkiömäki et al 17 and Bao et al, 19 baroreflex sensitivity by Perkiömäki et al, 17 among others.…”

“…Bao et al 19 studied the relationship between LBW and autonomic function in Mongolian young adults (men and women 23–24 years), since Mongolians are known to be hypertensive, as well as individuals with LBW. They were compared with NBW.…”

Listening to J.S. Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major” May Suppress the Sympathetic Nervous Activity

“…All female participants had regular menstrual cycles; moreover, they were assessed when they were during the early follicular phases, which is within 10 days of the start of the menstrual cycle. This was to avoid the influence of estrogen and progesterone levels on the heart rate variability (HRV) (Tenan et al 2014;Bao, Kanno and Maruyama 2016).…”

Early Life Exposure to Food Contaminants and Social Stress as Risk Factor for Metabolic Disorders Occurrence?—An Overview

“…It has been demonstrated that low birth weight individuals have higher concentrations of inflammatory markers in adulthood that might contribute to the development of MD [ 106 ].…”