Influence of oral administration of HMB to pregnant dams on calbindin expression in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus during postnatal development in spiny mice offspring

Abstract

Influence of oral administration of HMB to pregnant dams on calbindin expression in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus during postnatal development in spiny mice offspring Summary The aim of the study was to investigate the morphology, density and immunostaining intensity of calbindin (CB)-positive neurons of dentate gyrus (DG) in new-born (P0) and 21-day-old (P21) male Acomys cahirinus mice from dams receiving β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) during pregnancy. Different substances administrated to pregnant dams may affect the calcium ion homeostasis which is crucial for the proper brain development of their offspring. DG with hilus (H) plays an important role in memory and learning processes. Calcium levels in DG are regulated by buffering proteins like calbindin D28k (CB). Experimental dams were orally treated with HMB at a dose of 0.2 g/kg b.w. Half of new-born animals were euthanised after birth and the rest after the 21 st day of life. The brains were dissected and embedded in paraffin blocks using a routine histological technique. In order to demonstrate CB protein expression an immunohistochemical peroxidase-antiperoxidase reaction was conducted. The results of the study did not reveal important morphological alterations. There were no statistically significant changes in the density of the studied cells either in P0 and P21 animals. However, the authors have demonstrated a statistically significant increase of the average CB-immunostaining intensity in nuclei and cytoplasm in both age groups. It may be a result of a compensation effect to alterations that occurred under the influence of HMB. On the basis of the conducted research, it may be assumed that HMB activity in DG may provide long-term consequences.

β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation Prevents Bone Loss during Pregnancy—Novel Evidence from a Spiny Mouse (Acomys cahirinus) Model

“…These previous results suggest that prenatal exposure to HMB disturbs hormonal homeostasis, which impairs early folliculogenesis in piglets [ 69 ]. Other studies have shown a negative effect of HMB on hippocampal function in male offspring [ 14 ]. Whether the adverse effects of HMB supplementation during pregnancy are due to the dose of HMB administered or are a result of the stage of pregnancy during which supplementation occurs still remains to be determined.…”

“…Females from all experimental groups, as well as the newborn pups from females in groups PregCont and PregHMB were euthanized by CO 2 inhalation. To accomplish the 3R’s rule, tissue samples received from pups were used in another study [ 14 ]. Immediately after euthanasia, femora were carefully dissected out of the mice, cleaned of adhering tissues, individually packed, and stored frozen at −20 °C until they were examined.…”

“…This gap in the knowledge of the effects of HMB during pregnancy makes this dietary supplement, which is generally considered safe, not recommended for use during pregnancy [ 9 , 11 ]. Available data in animal models (mostly pigs) suggests that HMB supplementation during pregnancy can result, when supplemented at certain doses during selected periods of pregnancy, in the prenatal programming of several organs and tissues within the offspring, including muscle tissue [ 12 ], bone tissue [ 13 ], and brain tissue [ 14 ]. Prenatal supplementation of HMB during pregnancy has been shown to have a positive effect on offspring birth weight, as well as on the morphological, geometrical, and mechanical bone parameters and daily postnatal gains of offspring [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

The effect of maternal HMB supplementation on bone mechanical and geometrical properties, as well as histomorphometry and immunolocalization of VEGF, TIMP2, MMP13, BMP2 in the bone and cartilage tissue of the humerus of their newborn piglets

“…There are few experimental studies using animal models explaining the effect of the HMB supplementation in the prenatal period. However, in the last few years some have been related to the influence of this supplement on the skeletal system [ 14 – 20 ]. In the literature the information on the impact of this supplement on the femoral bone of newborn organisms whose mothers had the HMB supplementation during pregnancy [ 16 , 17 ].…”

The effect of maternal HMB supplementation on bone mechanical and geometrical properties, as well as histomorphometry and immunolocalization of VEGF, TIMP2, MMP13, BMP2 in the bone and cartilage tissue of the humerus of their newborn piglets

“…However, in the last few years some have been related to the influence of this supplement on the skeletal system. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. In the literature the information on the impact of this supplement on the femoral bone of newborn organisms whose mothers had the HMB supplementation during pregnancy [16,17].…”