Prenatal exposure to maternal undernutrition induces adult cardiac dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Developmental biology
• Cardiovascular science
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Adverse fetal environments can lead to chronic diseases later in life.
• The impact of prenatal nutrition on adult heart failure is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term effects of maternal low-protein (LP) diet on offspring cardiac function and structure.
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying LP diet-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A rat model was used, with pregnant dams fed either normal or low-protein diets.
• Cardiac function (ejection fraction, pressures, cardiac output) and structure (ventricular dimensions, wall thickness) were assessed at various life stages.
• Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was evaluated.

Main Results:

• Offspring exposed to LP diet showed depressed ejection fraction and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis early in life.
• While initial cardiac function recovered, left ventricular internal diameters increased, and wall thickness changed progressively.
• At 40 weeks, despite normal ejection fraction, offspring exhibited elevated LV end-diastolic pressure, reduced cardiac output, and impaired contractility.

Conclusions:

• Maternal low-protein diet during gestation programs offspring for cardiac dysfunction in later life.
• Prenatal nutritional insults can have permanent, detrimental effects on cardiovascular health.
• This study highlights the critical role of maternal nutrition in fetal programming of heart health.