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Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Programmed upregulation of adipogenic transcription factors in intrauterine growth-restricted offspring

Mina Desai1, Guang Han, Monica Ferelli

  • 1Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David-Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA. mdesai@obgyn.humc.edu

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|November 20, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in male rats alters early adipogenesis signaling pathways, leading to later obesity. These findings suggest early molecular changes contribute to programmed obesity in IUGR offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Enhanced adipogenesis is linked to programmed obesity.
  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can impact offspring metabolic health.
  • Understanding early signaling pathway alterations in IUGR is crucial for preventing obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate adipogenic and lipogenic signaling pathways in IUGR offspring.
  • To determine the impact of maternal food restriction on offspring adipogenesis.
  • To identify early molecular changes associated with programmed obesity in IUGR males.

Main Methods:

  • Rats were subjected to 50% food restriction during gestation to induce IUGR.
  • mRNA and protein levels of key adipogenic and lipogenic factors were analyzed at different time points (1 day, 3 weeks, 9 months).
  • Adipocyte cell size was measured to assess adipocyte hypertrophy.

Main Results:

  • One-day-old IUGR males exhibited upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2) and RXR alpha, with downregulated hormone-sensitive lipase.
  • Nine-month-old IUGR males showed upregulated sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), lipoprotein lipase, and fatty acid synthase.
  • IUGR males developed hypertrophic adipocytes, indicating increased fat cell size.

Conclusions:

  • Early upregulation of adipogenesis signaling pathways occurs in IUGR male offspring prior to obesity development.
  • IUGR induces significant alterations in adipogenic and lipogenic transcription factors and enzymes.
  • These early molecular changes suggest a programmed susceptibility to obesity in IUGR individuals.

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