Evidence for a Sensitive Period in Adipose-Cell Replication in Man

Brook, C. G. D.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(72)93017-6

Cited by 148 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It has previously been shown that administration of insulin to the adult rat [9] or after birth [10] mainly increases the cell size rather than the number of fat cells. However, available data suggest that the earlier the change in the nutritional level the more pronounced the effect [1,3]. Thus, the data reported by Brook [3] indicate that malnutrition in utero may lead to a permanent decrease in the number of fat cells; in a recent study we were unable to find this in subjects whose malnutrition started immediately after birth [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…However, available data suggest that the earlier the change in the nutritional level the more pronounced the effect [1,3]. Thus, the data reported by Brook [3] indicate that malnutrition in utero may lead to a permanent decrease in the number of fat cells; in a recent study we were unable to find this in subjects whose malnutrition started immediately after birth [29]. In the present study the total number of fat cells was estimated by dividing body fat with the average, mean fat cell size of the four subcutaneous sites studied.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is important, however, to elucidate these factors since the number of fat cells is of importance for the amount of body fat in adults [1,2]. l~ecent evidence indicates that the number of fat cells is established early in life in man [3] as well as in the rat [4]. It has been shown that dietary manipulations within the first few weeks of life may influence the number of fat cells in adults, while a similar experience at a later date only affects the cell size [1].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The effect of maternal diabetes on adipose tissue cellularity in man and rat

et al. 1974

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary. It is well recognised that the newborn of diabetic mothers may be overweight and obese, presumably due to excessive glucose and insulin levels in the fetus. Since recent evidence indicates that the number of fat cells is established early in life, we studied the effect of intrauterine hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia on adipose tissue cellularity. Six men (age range 21--26 years) and six women (age range 18--24 years) were investigated. Their weights at birth generally exceeded the average value by 2 S.D. As a group they were not obese at the time of the investigation and neither total number of fat cells, average cell size nor body fat differed significantly from controls of the same age. There was no correlation between the number of fat cells and the weight at birth. The adipose tissue cellularity in the offspring of alloxan-diabetic rats (AX) and in controls (C) of equal weight was also studied. When sacrificed (after 40 days) body weights and the weights of the epididymal and retroperitoneal fat pads were similar in the AX snd C groups. However, the number of fat cells of the retroperitoneal fat pad was significantly increased in the AX group, while the cell size was slightly diminished. Cell data of the epididymal fat pads were not significantly different. The results indicate that excessive glucose and insulin levels in utero may influence the number of fat cells, but, in man, they do not seem to lead to a permanent hyperplasia of the adipose tissue.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The effect of maternal diabetes on adipose tissue cellularity in man and rat

et al. 1974

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…23 It has also been suggested that there is a sensitive period for the development of adipose tissue in humans, which extends approximately between the third trimesters of gestation to the first year of life. 24 Energy restriction during this critical period could have a long-term impact on the number and size of adipocytes. The size of the adult abdominal adipocytes is also independently associated with insulin resistance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insulin resistance and abdominal adiposity in young men with documented malnutrition during the first year of life

et al. 2003

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

OBJECTIVE:The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of early life malnutrition on the relation between insulin sensitivity and abdominal adiposity in adulthood. It was hypothesised that participants with early life malnutrition would display a more pronounced deterioration of insulin sensitivity in association with a gain in abdominal fat. DESIGN: As a first attempt to investigate this issue, we studied the effect of body fat gains in a cross-sectional context. SUBJECTS: A total of 26 young adult men with evidence of malnutrition during the first year of life and 27 control subjects were recruited for this study. Malnutrition status was determined from medical files of paediatric hospitals in the Mexico City metropolitan area. MEASUREMENTS: Insulin sensitivity was measured by hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp, and body composition was measured by anthropometrics, bioelectrical impedance and computed tomography. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between total abdominal adipose tissue area and insulin sensitivity in the previously malnourished and control groups (r 2 ¼ 0.65 and 0.35, Po0.01, respectively). When matched for low amounts of abdominal fat (114 cm 2 ), participants with and without early life malnutrition had similar insulin sensitivity (9.03 vs 8.88 mg kg À1 min À1 ). However, when matched for high amounts of abdominal fat (310 cm 2 ) participants who were malnourished during the first year of life had lower insulin sensitivity (4.74 vs 6.85 mg kg À1 min À1 , Po0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of abdominal adipose tissue are more detrimental to insulin sensitivity in previously malnourished individuals.

show abstract

“…20 Such dietary differences could lead to a lower metabolic set-point of the newborn, causing higher sensitivity to postnatal adipose tissue aggregation. 22 The mechanisms for this effect may alter fatty acid composition in maternal milk, which is passed on to the infant during the early postnatal period. 23 Second, the observation of a significant effect in African American but not Caucasian females could be due to a dilution of the effects of environmental factors in Caucasian females through higher levels of prenatal care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%