scholarly journals Maternal Protein Restriction Modulates Angiogenesis and AQP9 Expression Leading to a Delay in Postnatal Epididymal Development in Rat

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talita de Mello Santos ◽  
Marilia Martins Cavariani ◽  
Dhrielly Natália Pereira ◽  
Bruno César Schimming ◽  
Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Maternal Protein Restriction ◽  
Aqp1 Expression ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The maternal nutritional status is essential to the health and well-being of the fetus. Maternal protein restriction during the perinatal stage causes sperm alterations in the offspring that are associated with epididymal dysfunctions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFr-2, as well as aquaporins (AQPs) are important regulators of angiogenesis and the epididymal microenvironment and are associated with male fertility. We investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on epididymal angiogenesis and AQP expression in the early stages of postnatal epididymal development. Pregnant rats were divided into two experimental groups that received either a normoprotein (17% protein) or low-protein diet (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. At postnatal day (PND)7 and PND14, male offspring were euthanized, the epididymides were subjected to morphometric and microvascular density analyses and to VEGF-A, VEGF-r2, AQP1 and AQP9 expression analyses. The maternal low-protein diet decreased AQP9 and VEGFr-2 expression, decreased epididymal microvascularity and altered the morphometric features of the epididymal epithelium; no changes in AQP1 expression were observed at the beginning of postnatal epididymal development. Maternal protein restriction alters microvascularization and affects molecules involved in the epidydimal microenvironment, resulting in morphometric alterations related to a delay in the beginning of epididymis postnatal development.

scholarly journals Maternal protein restriction differentially alters the expression of AQP1, AQP9 and VEGFr-2 in the epididymis of rat offspring

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilia Martins Cavariani ◽  
Talita de Mello Santos ◽  
Dhrielly Natalia Pereira ◽  
Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa ◽  
Patricia Fernanda Felipe Pinheiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Maternal Protein Restriction ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Development Methods ◽  
Protein Diets

Background: Maternal protein restriction causes sperm alterations in the offspring, most of which are associated with epididymal functions. Because fluid reabsorption/secretion dynamics in the epididymal environment play important roles in the process of sperm maturation and concentration, we investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on the expression of aquaporins (AQP1 and AQP9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFa), and its receptor VEGFr-2 in different stages of postnatal epididymal development. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into groups that received normoprotein (17% protein) and low-protein diets (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. After weaning, male rats only received the standard diet and were euthanized at the predetermined ages of 21, 44 and 120 days. Results: Maternal protein restriction decreased AQP1 and AQP9 expression in the initial segment and caput epididymis compared to the increased expression of these proteins observed in the corpus and cauda at all ages. Although protein restriction reduced the microvasculature density (MVD) on postnatal day (PND) 21 and 44, the MVD was unaltered on PND 120. Conclusions: Maternal protein restriction changed the structure or function of the offspring’s epididymis, specifically by affecting fluid dynamics and vasculogenesis in important stages of epididymis development.

Early-life nutrition influences thymic growth in male mice that may be related to the regulation of longevity

2009 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Hua Chen ◽  
Jane L. Tarry-Adkins ◽  
Chantal A.A. Heppolette ◽  
Donald B. Palmer ◽  
Susan E. Ozanne
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Activity ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Maternal Protein Restriction

Nutrition and growth rate during early life can influence later health and lifespan. We have demonstrated previously that low birthweight, resulting from maternal protein restriction during pregnancy followed by catch-up growth in rodents, was associated with shortened lifespan, whereas protein restriction and slow growth during lactation increased lifespan. The underlying mechanisms by which these differences arise are unknown. In the present study, we report that maternal protein restriction in mice influences thymic growth in early adult life. Offspring of dams fed a low-protein diet during lactation (PLP offspring) had significant thymic growth from 21 days to 12 weeks of age, whereas this was not observed in control mice or offspring of dams fed a low-protein diet during pregnancy (recuperated offspring). PCNA (proliferating-cell nuclear antigen) and SIRT1 (silent information regulator 1) protein levels at 21 days of age were significantly higher in the thymus from both PLP mice (P<0.001 and P<0.05 respectively) and recuperated mice (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively) compared with controls. At 12 weeks, PLP mice maintained a higher SIRT1 level, whereas PCNA was decreased in the thymus from recuperated offspring. This suggests that mitotic activity was initially enhanced in the thymus from both PLP and recuperated offspring, but remained sustained into adulthood only in PLP mice. The differential mitotic activity in the thymus from PLP and recuperated mice appeared to be influenced by changes in sex hormone concentrations and the expression of p53, p16, the androgen receptor, IL-7 (interleukin-7) and the IL-7 receptor. In conclusion, differential thymic growth may contribute to the regulation of longevity by maternal diet.

scholarly journals Placental HSD2 Expression and Activity Is Unaffected by Maternal Protein Consumption or Gender in C57BL/6 Mice

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Garbrecht ◽  
Fred S. Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Maternal Protein Restriction ◽  
The Impact

The placenta acts as a physiological barrier, preventing the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids to the developing fetus. This is accomplished via the oxidation, and subsequent inactivation, of endogenous glucocorticoids by the 11-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme (HSD2). Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy has been shown to result in a decrease in placental HSD2 expression and fetal glucocorticoid overexposure, especially late in gestation, resulting in low birth weight and “fetal programming” of the offspring. This dietary intervention impairs fetal growth and cardiovascular function in adult C57BL/6 offspring, but the impact on placental HSD2 has not been defined. The goal of the current study was to examine the effects of a maternal low-protein diet (18% versus 9% protein) on placental HSD2 gene expression and enzyme activity in mice during late gestation. In contrast to previous studies in rats, a maternal low-protein diet did not affect HSD2 protein or enzyme activity levels in the placentas of C57BL/6 mice and this was irrespective of the gender of the offspring. These data suggest that the effects of maternal protein restriction on adult phenotypes in C57BL/6 mice depend upon a mechanism that may be independent of placental HSD2 or possibly occurs earlier in gestation.

scholarly journals Survival on dialysis among chronic renal failure patients treated with a supplemented low-protein diet before dialysis.

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1379-1385
Author(s):  
J Coresh ◽  
M Walser ◽  
S Hill
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Chronic Renal Failure ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein

Concerns have been raised about the possibility of protein restriction resulting in malnutrition and poor subsequent survival on dialysis. However, no studies have examined patients treated with protein restriction to determine their subsequent survival on dialysis. This study prospectively monitored 67 patients with established chronic renal failure (mean initial serum creatinine of 4.3 mg/dL) who were treated with a very low-protein diet (0.3 g/kg per day) supplemented with either essential amino acids or a ketoacid-amino acid mixture and observed closely for clinical complications. Forty-four patients required dialysis. Once dialysis was started, dietary treatment was no longer prescribed. The cumulative mortality rate during the first 2 yr after starting dialysis was 7% (95% confidence interval, 0 to 16%). During this period, only two deaths occurred compared with 11.5 deaths expected on the basis of national mortality rates adjusted for age, sex, race, and cause of renal disease (P = 0.002). However, the protective effect was limited to the first 2 yr on dialysis. Thereafter, mortality rates increased, resulting in a total of 10 deaths during 96.4 person-years of follow-up, which was not significantly lower than the 14.9 deaths expected (P = 0.25). Extrapolation of sequential serum creatinine measurements made before dietary treatment suggests that the improved survival cannot be due to the early initiation of dialysis. Although the lack of an internal control group and data on dialysis lends uncertainty, the large difference in mortality rate between these patients and the nationwide experience indicates that protein restriction and close clinical monitoring predialysis does not worsen and may substantially improve survival during the first 2 yr on dialysis. These findings point out the importance of studying predialysis treatments as a means for lowering mortality on dialysis.

Low-protein diet impairs vascular relaxation in virgin and pregnant rats

2002 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angeliki KOUMENTAKI ◽  
Frederick ANTHONY ◽  
Lucilla POSTON ◽  
Timothy WHEELER
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Output ◽  
Plasma Volume ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Mesenteric Arteries ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Low Protein

Pregnancy is associated with increases in maternal cardiac output and plasma volume and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance. Cardiac output and plasma volume are substantially reduced in pregnant rats fed a low-protein diet, but it is not known whether vascular function is also compromised. We have investigated vascular function in virgin and pregnant Wistar rats subjected to dietary protein restriction [9% (w/v) casein, compared with 18% (w/v) casein for controls]. The diets were fed to the groups for 18 days; in the pregnant rats, the diets were given from day 1 of pregnancy. Branches of the mesenteric arteries were studied on day 18 of the dietary period using myography. Significant reductions in sensitivity to acetylcholine occurred in vessels from virgin (P = 0.04) and pregnant (P = 0.01) rats that had consumed the 9% casein diet. In arteries from the virgin rats on the restricted diet there was also a significant reduction in sensitivity (P = 0.0003) and maximum relaxation (P = 0.009) to the NO donor spermine NONOate. Mean placental and fetal weights were significantly lower in the rats fed on 9% casein (P<0.0001 and P = 0.005 respectively). Thus low-protein diets impair vasodilator responses in female rats. These effects may contribute to the poor cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy and lower fetal weights associated with restricted protein intake.

Green tea extract intake during lactation modified cardiac macrophage infiltration and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in weanling rats from undernourished mother during gestation and lactation

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Matsumoto ◽  
S. Kataoka ◽  
Y. Mukai ◽  
M. Sato ◽  
S. Sato
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Green Tea ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Macrophage Infiltration ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Tea Extract ◽  
Amp Activated Protein Kinase

Maternal dietary restriction is often associated with cardiovascular disease in offspring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) intake during lactation on macrophage infiltration, and activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and serine-threonine kinase Akt (Akt) in the hearts of weanlings exposed to maternal dietary protein restriction. Pregnant Wistar rats were fed control (C) or low-protein diets (LP) throughout gestation. Following delivery, the dams received a control or a GTE-containing control diet during lactation: control diet during gestation and lactation (CC), low-protein diet during gestation and lactation (LPC), low-protein diet during gestation and 0.12% GTE-containing low-protein diet during lactation (LPL), and low-protein diet during gestation and 0.24% GTE-containing low-protein diet during lactation (LPH). The female offspring were sacrificed at day 22. Biochemical parameters in the plasma, macrophage infiltration, degree of fibrosis and expression levels of AMPK and Akt were examined. The plasma insulin level increased in LPH compared with LPC. Percentage of the fibrotic areas and the number of macrophages in LPC were higher than those in CC. Conversely, the fibrotic areas and the macrophage number in LPH were smaller (21 and 56%, respectively) than those in LPC. The levels of phosphorylated AMPK in LPL and LPH, and Akt in LPH were greater than those in LPC. In conclusion, maternal protein restriction may induce macrophage infiltration and the decrease of insulin levels. However, GTE intake during lactation may suppress macrophage infiltration and restore insulin secretion function via upregulation of AMPK and insulin signaling in weanlings.

scholarly journals Effect of prenatal programming and postnatal rearing on glomerular filtration rate in adult rats

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (5) ◽  
pp. F411-F419 ◽  
Author(s):  
German Lozano ◽  
Ayah Elmaghrabi ◽  
Jordan Salley ◽  
Khurrum Siddique ◽  
Jyothsna Gattineni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Low Protein Diet ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Mature Adult ◽  
Low Protein

The present study examined whether a prenatal low-protein diet programs a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and an increase in systolic blood pressure (BP). In addition, we examined whether altering the postnatal nutritional environment of nursing neonatal rats affected GFR and BP when rats were studied as adults. Pregnant rats were fed a normal (20%) protein diet or a low-protein diet (6%) during the last half of pregnancy until birth, when rats were fed a 20% protein diet. Mature adult rats from the prenatal low-protein group had systolic hypertension and a GFR of 0.38 ± 0.03 versus 0.57 ± 0.05 ml·min−1·100 g body wt−1 in the 20% group ( P < 0.01). In cross-fostering experiments, mothers continued on the same prenatal diet until weaning. Prenatal 6% protein rats cross-fostered to a 20% mother on day 1 of life had a GFR of 0.53 ± 0.05 ml·min−1·100 g body wt−1, which was not different than the 20% group cross-fostered to a different 20% mother (0.45 ± 0.04 ml·min−1·100 g body wt−1). BP in the 6% to 20% group was comparable with the 20% to 20% group. Offspring of rats fed either 20% or 6% protein diets during pregnancy and cross-fostered to a 6% mother had elevated BP but a comparable GFR normalized to body weight as the 20% to 20% control group. Thus, a prenatal low-protein diet causes hypertension and a reduction in GFR in mature adult offspring, which can be modified by postnatal rearing.

Modest maternal protein restriction fails to program adult hypertension in female rats

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (4) ◽  
pp. R1131-R1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori L. Woods ◽  
Julie R. Ingelfinger ◽  
Ruth Rasch
Keyword(s):  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Protein Restriction ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Pregnant Rats ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Maternal Protein Restriction

Modest maternal dietary protein restriction in the rat leads to hypertension in adult male offspring. The purpose of this study was to determine whether female rats are resistant to developing the increased blood pressure seen in male rats after maternal protein restriction. Pregnant rats were fed a normal protein (19%, NP) or low-protein (8.5%, LP) diet throughout gestation. Renal renin protein and ANG II levels were reduced by 50–65% in male LP compared with NP pups, but were not suppressed in female LP compared with female NP. Mean arterial pressure in conscious, chronically instrumented adult female offspring (22 wk) was not different in LP (LP: 120 ± 3 mmHg vs. NP: 121 ± 2 mmHg), and glomerular filtration rate was also not different in LP vs. NP. The number of glomeruli per kidney was similar in adult LP and NP female offspring (LP: 26,050 ± 2,071 vs. NP: 26,248 ± 1,292, NP), and individual glomerular volume was also not different (LP: 0.92 ± 0.11 106μm3, LP vs. NP: 1.07 ± 0.11 106μm3); the total volume of all glomeruli per kidney was also not significantly different. Thus female rats are relatively resistant to the programming for adult hypertension by perinatal protein restriction that we have described in males. This resistance may be due to the fact that modest maternal protein restriction does not reduce the number of glomeruli with which females are endowed as it does in males. The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system during development may play a key role in this protective effect of female gender.

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