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Published on: February 17, 2023
Nutritional programming of insulin resistance: causes and consequences
Daniella E Duque-Guimarães1, Susan E Ozanne
1University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Disease Unit, Institute of Metabolic Sciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
Early life nutrition impacts long-term health, increasing risks for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Epigenetic changes from maternal and neonatal nutrition may explain these generational effects on metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Metabolic disease research
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Adverse prenatal and early postnatal environments significantly influence long-term health.
- Early life exposures are linked to increased risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on how maternal and neonatal nutrition affect early growth.
- To explore the long-term risks of insulin resistance development.
- To discuss the role of epigenetic mechanisms in nutritional programming.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on prenatal and neonatal nutrition.
- Analysis of evidence for epigenetic mechanisms in metabolic programming.
- Examination of molecular pathways and biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Maternal and neonatal nutrition play a crucial role in early development and subsequent metabolic health.
- Epigenetic modifications are implicated in mediating the long-term effects of early nutrition.
- Insulin resistance can manifest in various organs and at the whole-body level due to early life factors.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the epigenetic basis of nutritional programming is key to preventing T2D and cardiovascular disease.
- Identifying molecular mechanisms and biomarkers can inform effective interventions for metabolic health.
- Early life nutrition represents a critical window for intervention to mitigate long-term disease risk.
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