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Leucine and Fetal Growth

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Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

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Abstract

Maternal nutrition is directly related to the growth and development of the fetus. However, epidemiological studies have demonstrated the consequences of poor maternal nutrition on the development of diseases in later life, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases associated with a high incidence of myocardial infarction, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemias. On the basis of these observations, Barker formulated the hypothesis of the fetal origin of diseases, which proposes that fetuses exposed to a limited supply of nutrients adapt to this situation by altering their metabolic processes. Fetal programming can therefore be defined as an adaptive process to an adverse intrauterine environment which redefines developmental processes, guaranteeing fetal survival.

In this respect, it has been observed that dietary modifications during pregnancy, such as protein restriction, promote specific changes in the functional activity and expression of placental transporters, particularly amino acid transporters, which are directly related to the regulation of fetal growth in response to the altered supply of nutrients by the placenta. It is a known fact that embryonic cells respond directly to amino acid deficiency by altering the expression of a variety of genes that regulate growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition to maternal nutrition, there are other factors associated with fetal growth, including genetic factors and the production of hormones such as insulin, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), ghrelin, and leptin.

In the following chapter, we discuss aspects of the amino acid leucine and fetal growth and report the data of experimental studies. In addition, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the leucine. We would like to draw the attention of the reader to the fact that this study seems to be a promising research field in nutrition and health, which is crucial for the development of public health strategies and programs designed to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases in adult life.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, bloco 14, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil

    Julio Tirapegui Ph.D.

  2. University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 580, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil

    Daiana Vianna M.Sc., Gabriela Fullin Resende Teodoro M.Sc. & Lucas Carminatti Pantaleão M.Sc.

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  1. Julio Tirapegui Ph.D.
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  2. Daiana Vianna M.Sc.
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  3. Gabriela Fullin Resende Teodoro M.Sc.
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  4. Lucas Carminatti Pantaleão M.Sc.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julio Tirapegui Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Intensive Care, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

    Rajkumar Rajendram

  2. Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Tirapegui, J., Vianna, D., Teodoro, G.F.R., Pantaleão, L.C. (2015). Leucine and Fetal Growth. In: Rajendram, R., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Branched Chain Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1923-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1923-9_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

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