Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth A. DeVilbiss, Alexandra C. Purdue-Smithe, Lindsey A. Sjaarda, Brandie D. Taylor, Joshua R. Freeman, Neil J. Perkins, Robert M. Silver, Enrique F. Schisterman, Sunni L. Mumford
Summary: We examined the association between preconception adiposity and offspring sex and sex ratio. Among women attempting pregnancy, higher levels of adiposity were associated with reduced sex ratio, primarily driven by a decrease in male livebirths. Obesity and higher levels of serum leptin and skinfold measurements were significantly associated with lower sex ratios. This study highlights the importance of preconception adiposity in determining offspring sex and sex ratio.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isaac Ampong, Kip D. Zimmerman, Danu S. Perumalla, Katharyn E. Wallis, Ge Li, Hillary F. Huber, Cun Li, Peter W. Nathanielsz, Laura A. Cox, Michael Olivier
Summary: Maternal obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of age-related metabolic diseases in offspring. A study using a nonhuman primate model found that offspring of obese mothers had metabolic perturbations in the liver and skeletal muscle, which may contribute to the development of age-related metabolic diseases later in life.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gabrielle R. Rinne, Elysia Poggi Davis, Nicole E. Mahrer, Christine M. Guardino, Julia M. Charalel, Madeleine U. Shalowitz, Sharon L. Ramey, Christine Dunkel Schetter
Summary: This study examines the predictive power of maternal depressive symptoms on early childhood outcomes using two empirical studies. The results suggest that changes in maternal depressive symptoms are associated with lower effortful control and poorer performance on inhibitory control tasks in children. These findings are aligned with the match-mismatch model. Assessing preconception depressive symptoms and changes in symptoms may benefit early intervention for women and children.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elena Colicino, Whitney Cowell, Nicolo Foppa Pedretti, Anu Joshi, Oulhote Youssef, Allan C. Just, Itai Kloog, Lauren Petrick, Megan Niedzwiecki, Robert O. Wright, Rosalind J. Wright
Summary: Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during the pre-conception and early prenatal periods has been found to be associated with altered steroid hormone levels in pregnant women. Specifically, PM2.5 exposure was positively correlated with increased maternal androgen concentrations in late pregnancy and with higher pregnenolone and progestin levels in early pregnancy. This study provides evidence for the potential consequences of PM2.5 exposure on hormone adaptation during pregnancy, which may have implications for maternal and child health.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra C. Purdue-Smithe, Keewan Kim, Carrie Nobles, Enrique F. Schisterman, Karen C. Schliep, Neil J. Perkins, Lindsey A. Sjaarda, Joshua R. Freeman, Sonia L. Robinson, Jeannie G. Radoc, James L. Mills, Robert M. Silver, Aijun Ye, Sunni L. Mumford
Summary: The study suggests that preconception vitamin D levels are positively associated with male live birth, especially among women with inflammatory markers. Vitamin D may help mitigate the detrimental effects of maternal inflammation on male embryonic implantation and survival, leading to improved pregnancy outcomes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Allergy
Gro Tjalvin, Oistein Svanes, Jannicke Igland, Randi Jacobsen Bertelsen, Bryndis Benediktsdottir, Shyamali Dharmage, Bertil Forsberg, Mathias Holm, Christer Janson, Nils Oskar Jogi, Ane Johannessen, Andrei Malinovschi, Kathrine Pape, Francisco Gomez Real, Torben Sigsgaard, Kjell Toren, Hilde Kristin Vindenes, Jan-Paul Zock, Vivi Schlunssen, Cecilie Svanes
Summary: Emerging research suggests that parental exposure to chemicals before conception may affect the health of offspring. This study found that maternal occupational exposure to indoor cleaning agents before and during pregnancy was associated with childhood asthma and wheezing in offspring. This has important implications for a large number of women of childbearing age who use cleaning agents and their children.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Simone Mader, Lior Brimberg, An Vo, Joshua J. Strohl, James M. Crawford, Alexandre Bonnin, Joseph Carrion, Delcora Campbell, Tomas S. Huerta, Andrea La Bella, Roseann Berlin, Stephen L. Dewey, Matthew Hellman, David Eidelberg, Irena Dujmovic, Jelena Drulovic, Jeffrey L. Bennett, Bruce T. Volpe, Patricio T. Huerta, Betty Diamond
Summary: The exposure of the fetal brain to maternal IgG before the formation of an effective blood-brain barrier can have consequences on brain development. In this study, the researchers found that exposure to an antibody against AQP4 protein in the fetal brain led to abnormal cortical vasculature, impaired WNT signaling, increased blood flow, and leakiness of the blood-brain barrier in adult mice. These mice also exhibited behavioral impairments and disturbances in the grid cell system within the entorhinal cortex.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kate M. Annunziato, Marjorie Marin, Wenle Liang, Sarah M. Conlin, Weipeng Qi, Jeffery Doherty, Jonghwa Lee, John M. Clark, Yeonhwa Park, Alicia R. Timme-Laragy
Summary: The study examined the effects of maternal preconception PFBS exposure on egg and offspring development, finding that early exposure significantly reduced embryo survival and late exposure impacted embryo development with unique patterns between different genotypes. Preconception PFBS exposures altered egg and embryo development, mediated by direct toxicant loading in the eggs, nutrient loading into eggs, and the function of Nrf2a. These findings provide insight into the reproductive and developmental effects of PFBS and identify maternal preconception as a novel critical window of exposure.
Article
Neurosciences
Daniele B. Torres, Agnes Lopes, Ana J. Rodrigues, Marcelo G. Lopes, Ana P. Ventura-Silva, Nuno Sousa, Jose A. R. Gontijo, Patricia A. Boer
Summary: This study investigated the effects of gestational protein restriction on the neurochemical composition and neuronal structure of the amygdala in offspring rats. The results showed that the low-protein feeding offspring had lower birth weight and reduced neurochemical content in the amygdala.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zihan Zhang, Chao Xue, Mengyao Ju, Jiawei Guo, Minghui Wang, Sijie Yi, Xianfeng Yi
Summary: The study suggests that maternal gut dysbiosis may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and behavioral defects in offspring, with maternal antibiotic treatment leading to significant changes in offspring gut microbiota and social interactions. This highlights the potential role of maternal gut microbiota as a mediator between offspring microbiota and behaviors in animal models.
Article
Pediatrics
Hui Xing Lau, Michelle Zhi Ling Kee, Qai Ven Yap, Elizabeth Huiwen Tham, Yiong Huak Chan, Anne Eng Neo Goh, Oon Hoe Teoh, Johan Gunnar Eriksson, Keith M. Godfrey, Peter D. Gluckman, Yap Seng Chong, Jerry Kok Yen Chan, Hugo Van Bever, Bee Wah Lee, Lynette Pei-chi Shek, Michael J. Meaney, Evelyn Xiu Ling Loo
Summary: The study found that maternal distress during the preconception and pregnancy periods is associated with an increased risk of offspring wheeze in the first 18 months of life. Emotional and practical support from family can reduce the risk of offspring wheeze.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Carlos A. Aguilar-Trigueros, Franz-Sebastian Krah, William K. Cornwell, Amy E. Zanne, Nerea Abrego, Ian C. Anderson, Carrie J. Andrew, Petr Baldrian, Claus Baessler, Andrew Bissett, V. Bala Chaudhary, Baodong Chen, Yongliang Chen, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Coline Deveautour, Eleonora Egidi, Habacuc Flores-Moreno, Jacob Golan, Jacob Heilmann-Clausen, Stefan Hempel, Yajun Hu, Havard Kauserud, Stephanie N. Kivlin, Petr Kohout, Daniel R. Lammel, Fernando T. Maestre, Anne Pringle, Jenna Purhonen, Brajesh K. Singh, Stavros D. Veresoglou, Tomas Vetrovsky, Haiyang Zhang, Matthias C. Rillig, Jeff R. Powell
Summary: Despite the ubiquity of host-fungal symbiotic interactions, the effects of symbiosis on the ecology and evolution of fungal spores involved in dispersal and colonization have been neglected. Through a spore morphology database, we found that symbiotic status correlated with changes in spore size, but this effect varied among different fungal phyla. Symbiosis explained more variation in spore size distribution than climatic variables, and spores of plant-associated fungi have more restricted dispersal potential compared to free-living fungi. Our study advances life-history theory by highlighting the role of symbiosis in shaping reproductive and dispersal strategies among living organisms.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kara R. Skelton, Amelie A. Hecht, Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon
Summary: Recent studies have shown an increase in population-level cannabis use after the legalization of recreational cannabis. This study focused on investigating the association of recreational cannabis legalization with maternal cannabis use during important life stages. The findings suggest that future research should adopt an interdisciplinary approach to maximize the benefits and application of findings in various sectors like public health, healthcare, and policy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas Araujo Ferreira, Marcos Divino Ferreira-Junior, Keytiane de Jesus Viana Amaral, Keilah Valeria Naves Cavalcante, Carolina Nobre Ribeiro Pontes, Larissa Cristina dos Santos Ribeiro, Beatriz Goncalves dos Santos, Carlos Henrique Xavier, Paulo Cezar de Freitas Mathias, Monica Levy Andersen, Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino, Carlos Henrique de Castro, Renata Mazaro-Costa, Rodrigo Mello Gomes
Summary: Postnatal early overfeeding affects cardiac parameters in the second generation, leading to increased body weight, adiposity, and cardiac hypertrophy. Male offspring showed ex vivo functional impairments associated with Ang2 and AKT signaling impairments.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yining Xin, Xiaoxiao Sun, Li Ren, Guo Chen, Yingqi Chen, Yingdong Ni, Bin He
Summary: The study found that maternal inflammation can induce phenotypic changes in the next generation. It was discovered that male offspring from inflammatory mothers showed impaired glucose tolerance and hepatic ectopic fat deposition when maintained on a chow diet. These offspring also exhibited anxiety and depressive behaviors, along with elevated serum corticosterone levels and decreased glucocorticoid receptor abundance in the hippocampus. This study expands our understanding of developmental programming and provides a basis for studying metabolic and behavioral alterations in offspring related to maternal inflammation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabiane Ferreira Martins, Vanessa Souza-Mello, Marcia Barbosa Aguila, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Summary: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in thermogenesis and has the potential to be targeted for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Brown adipokines (batokines) have effects on multiple organs and may be effective targets for treating obesity. This review discusses the importance of six emerging batokines and their interactions with other organs, focusing on their physiological significance and changes induced by diet.
HORMONE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Fabiane Ferreira Martins, Thiago Santos-Reis, Thatiany Souza Marinho, Marcia Barbosa Aguila, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Summary: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of semaglutide on neuropeptide signaling in the hypothalamic energy metabolism of diet-induced obese mice. The results showed that semaglutide improved leptin sensitivity and anorexigenic signaling, while decreasing orexigenic signaling. Furthermore, semaglutide also affected biometric data and hypothalamic gene expressions. Therefore, semaglutide can activate anorexigenic signaling by restoring leptin, amylin, and POMC pathways in diet-induced obese mice.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Matheus Ajackson, Brenda A. Nagagata, Ilitch A. Marcondes-de-Castro, Carlos A. Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Marcia Barbosa Aguila
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin supplementation in the liver of adult offspring from obese mothers during pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that supplementation of melatonin reduced body weight and liver lipid levels in offspring from high-fat diet-fed mothers. Additionally, melatonin supplementation improved lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the offspring's liver.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ilitch Aquino Marcondes-de-Castro, Thamiris Ferreira Oliveira, Renata Spezani, Thatiany Souza Marinho, Luiz Eduardo Macedo Cardoso, Marcia Barbosa Aguila, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Summary: Cotadutide has anti-obesity effects and can improve glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. It also shows beneficial effects on liver lipid metabolism and mitigates steatosis, inflammation, and ER stress. Therefore, Cotadutide could be a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes and associated obesity.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Luiz E. M. Cardoso, Thatiany Souza Marinho, Fabiane Ferreira Martins, Marcia Barbosa Aguila, Carlos A. Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Summary: In this study, the effects of a glucagon-like peptide type 1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, on the turnover of islet extracellular matrix (ECM) components in an obese mouse model were investigated. The results showed that semaglutide improved the turnover of ECM components and reduced the formation of amyloid deposits.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Daiana Araujo Santana-Oliveira, Henrique Souza-Tavares, Aline Fernandes-da-Silva, Flavia Maria Silva-Veiga, Gustavo Casimiro-Lopes, Patricia Cristina Lisboa, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Vanessa Souza-Mello
Summary: This study shows that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) can prevent obesity by modulating gut microbiota and inflammatory signals. These exercise modalities restore body weight, improve glucose tolerance, and reduce insulin levels in high-fat-fed mice. Furthermore, they prevent gut dysbiosis and maintain the integrity of the gut barrier, leading to decreased inflammatory signals to brown adipose tissue. These findings are important for understanding the impact of exercise on obesity and metabolic health.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Renata Spezani, Thatiany Souza Marinho, Luiz E. Macedo Cardoso, Marcia Barbosa Aguila, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-de-Lacerda
Summary: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus cause morphofunctional alterations in pancreatic islet alpha and beta cells. A new GLP-1/Glucagon receptor dual agonist cotadutide may benefit islet cell arrangement and function. The study found that cotadutide led to weight loss, reduced insulin resistance, and improved markers of transdifferentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and ER stress in obese mice.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brenda A. Nagagata, Matheus Ajackson, Fernanda Ornellas, Carlos A. Mandarim-de-Lacerda, Marcia Barbosa Aguila
Summary: Supplementing obese mothers with melatonin during gestation and lactation has benefits for the pancreatic islet cellular composition and beta-cell function in adult male offspring. The study found that melatonin supplementation improved glucose metabolism and weight loss in both mothers and offspring, while reducing pro-inflammatory markers and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Additionally, antioxidant enzymes were improved, beta-cell mass and hyperinsulinemia were reduced, and beta-cell maturity and identity gene expressions were enhanced in the offspring. Overall, melatonin supplementation in obese mothers helps preserve pancreatic islets and functioning beta cells in their offspring.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Patricia de Castro De Paiva, Thatiany Souza Marinho, Carlos Alberto Mandarim-De-Lacerda, Marcia Barbosa Aguila
Summary: High-Intensity Interval training (HIIT) has positive effects on myokines and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in obese mice, reducing weight gain and improving muscle function. The study suggests that HIIT can prevent chronic inflammation and muscle dysfunction associated with obesity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY
(2023)