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Hepatic expression of the GH/JAK/STAT/IGF pathway, acute-phase response signalling and complement system are affected in mouse offspring by prenatal and early postnatal exposure to maternal high-protein diet

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Abstract

Purpose

Effects of pre- and early postnatal exposure to maternal high-protein diets are not well understood. Transcription profiling was performed in male mouse offspring exposed to maternal high-protein diet during pregnancy and/or lactation to identify affected hepatic molecular pathways.

Methods

Dams were fed isoenergetic diets with control (20% w/w) or high protein levels (40%). The hepatic expression profiles were evaluated by differential microarray analysis 3 days (d3) and 3 weeks (d21) after birth. Offspring from three different high-protein dietary groups, HP (d3, high-protein diet during pregnancy), HPHP (d21, high-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation) and CHP (d21, control diet during pregnancy and high-protein diet during lactation), were compared with age-matched offspring from dams fed control diet.

Results

Offspring body and liver mass of all high-protein groups were decreased. Prenatal high-protein diet affected hepatic expression of genes mapping to the acute response/complement system and the GH/JAK/STAT/IGF signalling pathways. Maternal exposure to high-protein diet during lactation affected hepatic gene expression of the same pathways but additionally affected genes mapping to protein, fatty acid, hexose and pyruvate metabolism.

Conclusions

(1) Genes of the acute response/complement system and GH/JAK/STAT/IGF pathways were down-regulated in offspring of dams exposed to high-protein diets during pregnancy and/or lactation. (2) Genes related to nutrient and energy metabolism, however, were only affected when high-protein diet was administered during lactation. (3) Modulation of the GH/JAK/STAT/IGF pathway might be responsible for reduced body and liver masses by maternal high-protein diet.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Maren Anders, Veronica Schreiter, Susanne Dwars, Kerstin Pilz, Iris Lang, Christa Fiedler and Karin Zorn for assistance with animal care, sample collection and gene expression studies. This work was supported by the Commission of the European Community, within the FP 6 priority 5.4.3.1 Food quality and safety (EARNEST, Food-CT-2005-007036). It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission and in no way anticipates its future policy in this area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz-Institut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN), Forschungsbereich Molekularbiologie, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany

    Jens Vanselow

  2. Leibniz-Institut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN), Forschungsbereich Ernährungsphysiologie, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany

    Marzena Kucia & Cornelia C. Metges

  3. Leibniz-Institut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN), Forschungsbereich Genetik und Biometrie, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany

    Martina Langhammer

  4. Institut für Immunologie der Universität Rostock, Schillingallee 70, 18055, Rostock, Germany

    Dirk Koczan

  5. Leibniz-Institut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN), Forschungsbereich Muskelbiologie und Wachstum, Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany

    Charlotte Rehfeldt

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  1. Jens Vanselow
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Correspondence to Cornelia C. Metges.

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Vanselow, J., Kucia, M., Langhammer, M. et al. Hepatic expression of the GH/JAK/STAT/IGF pathway, acute-phase response signalling and complement system are affected in mouse offspring by prenatal and early postnatal exposure to maternal high-protein diet. Eur J Nutr 50, 611–623 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0168-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0168-5

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