Considering Maternal Dietary Modulators for Epigenetic Regulation and Programming of the Fetal Epigenome

Abstract

Fetal life is characterized by a tremendous plasticity and ability to respond to various environmental and lifestyle factors, including maternal nutrition. Identification of the role of dietary factors that can modulate and reshape the cellular epigenome during development, including methyl group donors (e.g., folate, choline) and bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols) is of great importance; however, there is insufficient knowledge of a particular effect of each type of modulator and/or their combination on fetal life. To enhance the quality and safety of food products for proper fetal health and disease prevention in later life, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of dietary epigenetic modulators during the critical prenatal period is necessary. This review focuses on the influence of maternal dietary components on DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs, and summarizes current knowledge of the effect and importance of dietary components on epigenetic mechanisms that control the proper expression of genetic information. Evidence reveals that some components in the maternal diet can directly or indirectly affect epigenetic mechanisms. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of how early-life nutritional environment affects the epigenome during development is of great importance for the successful prevention of adult chronic diseases through optimal maternal nutrition.

Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors and Toxic Metals on The Fetal Epigenome

“…Imbalances in micronutrients involved in one-carbon metabolism have been tied to dysregulated CpG methylation, resulting from their role as methyl donors [143]. In line with these observations, maternal nutrition also has a significant impact on the fetal epigenome, as well as developmental outcomes in offspring [144]. The relationship between micronutrients, environmental exposures and epigenomic reprogramming has been well-documented with respect to iAs exposure in human populations.…”

Prevención de la obesidad desde la etapa perinatal

“…Las deficiencias nutricionales de la madre gestante están relacionadas con el CIR y con neonatos con bajo peso al nacer (17), existiendo una asociación entre el bajo peso del recién nacido y un mayor riesgo de obesidad central en la etapa adulta (11,(18)(19) Incremento en las ingestas recomendadas durante el embarazo Tabla I. Incremento en las ingestas recomendadas durante el embarazo La hipótesis de Barker del origen fetal de las enfermedades del adulto establece que la desnutrición en el útero afecta a las células que intervienen en este periodo crítico del crecimiento, ocasionando modificaciones epigenéticas y una programación anormal del desarrollo de órganos y aparatos, adaptándose el organismo a esta situación de carencia y pudiendo tener dificultad de adaptación ante un consumo abundante de alimentos después del nacimiento, aumentando su propensión a la obesidad en la etapa adulta (18,20).…”

Maternal Nutrition and Metabolic Disorder-Related Mirnas in the Offspring

“…Epigenetic modification are often used to explain the relationship between maternal nutrition and the predisposition of the offspring to future metabolic complications, since early life periods have shown a strong epigenetic plasticity and ability to respond to environment factors (e.g., nutrition) [3]. Epigenetic is based on inheritable changes that regulate tissue-specific gene expression, without altering the DNA sequences [4,5].…”

“…Approximately 2,800 mammalian miRNAs have been annotated and these miRNAs are potentially target up to 60% of protein-coding genes [3]. In addition, disturbances in the miRNA expression are linked to aberrant metabolic changes and onset of diseases [5].…”

“…Several evidences have shown that maternal diet (under-and over-nutrition) during pregnancy and lactation may modify the foetal programming and epigenome of the offspring, leading to lifelong phenotypic consequences [1][2][3]. Foetal programming represents a series of adaptive responses of the foetus to adverse environmental conditions during early stages of life, influencing in the gene expression, structures of organs and function of several tissues, likely affecting the susceptibility of the offspring to develop metabolic disorders in adult life, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases [1].…”