Maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring induces morphological changes in kidneys reminiscent of phenotypes exhibited by intrauterine growth retardation rats

Abstract

Severe restriction of maternal protein intake to 6-8% protein diet results in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), low birthweight and high risk of metabolic syndrome in the adult life of the offspring. However, little information is available on the effects of maternal protein restriction on offspring under the conditions that does not have an influence on their birthweight of the offspring,. In the present study, pregnant rats were kept on a diet consisting of either 9% (low-protein, Lp rats) or 18% (normal-protein, Np rats) protein by weight/volume/etc. After birth, both Lp and Np rats were kept on a diet containing 18% protein. Neonatal body weight was significantly lower in Lp rats compared to Np rats from 4 days to 5 weeks after birth. While glomerular number per unit volume (1 mm(3) ) of the kidney (Nv) was comparable between Lp and Np rats 4 weeks after birth, the Nv was significantly decreased in Lp rats at 20 weeks after birth. Four and 20 weeks after birth, glomerular sclerosis index, interstitial fibrosis score, and ratio of ED1-positive cell ratio were all significantly higher in Lp compared to Np rats. Transforming growth factor-β1-positive cells were observed in the distal tubules in the kidney of 4- and 20-week-old Lp rats kidneys, but not in those of age-matched Np rats. Altogether, these findings revealed that maternal protein restriction that does not have an influence on the birthweight of the offspring, induces similar changes as those seen in the kidneys of IUGR neonates.

Transplacental Nutrient Transport Mechanisms of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Rodent Models and Humans

“…A consistent finding in rats (Woodall et al, 1996 ; McMullen and Langley-Evans, 2005 ) and mice (Kawamura et al, 2007 ) is that fetuses exposed to undernutrition or a low-protein diet during the first half of pregnancy or throughout pregnancy are significantly smaller than normal. Even a less severe low-protein diet that does not induce IUGR leads to similar alterations in kidney morphology, with a reduction in the number of glomeruli and glomerular necrosis (Yuasa et al, 2016 ). The other animal model used for IUGR is the artery ligation model, which mimics an acute situation and not only diminishes the nutrient supply but also leads to oxygen deprivation (Janot et al, 2014 ).…”

Maternal Protein Restriction Alters the Expression of Proteins Related to the Structure and Functioning of the Rat Offspring Epididymis in an Age-Dependent Manner

“…Maternal protein restriction is able to promote growth restriction at birth followed by the subsequent catch-up growth ( Ozanne and Hales, 2004 ; Ozanne and Nicholas Hales, 2005 ). However, several studies with pregnant rats fed a low-protein diet reported pups with reduced body weight at birth which was maintained up to one year of ag ( Zeman, 1967 ; Zambrano et al, 2005 ; Hoppe et al, 2007 ; Fetoui et al, 2009 ; Qasem et al, 2016 ; Yuasa et al, 2016 ). Consistent with these results, we observed lower body weight of the male offspring at birth after maternal protein restriction and at all analyzed ages.…”

Dietary Proteins during Late Pregnancy Affect Hyaluronan Levels, and Modulate <i>Hyaluronan synthase 2</i> and <i>KIAA1199</i> mRNA Expression in the Skin of Newborn Mice

“…Maternal protein malnutrition can have effects on offspring morphology, physiology and behavior. Variations in the phenotype of the offspring are induced by feeding pregnant dams a diet with a moderate reduction in protein (Yuasa et al, 2016). Some studies have shown that low-protein diets during pregnancy influence body weight, blood pressure and metabolic and intake regulatory systems in offspring (Jahan-Mihan et al, 2015).…”