Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Assessing Whole-Body Lipid-Handling Capacity in Mice
Published on: November 24, 2020
Growth hormone reverses dyslipidemia in adult offspring after maternal undernutrition
Wei-Fen Zhu1,2, Sheng-Jie Tang2, Zheng Shen3
1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Insights
Growth hormone therapy in adulthood can reverse metabolic issues in individuals born small for gestational age (SGA). This treatment normalized lipid levels and improved gene expression related to metabolism in SGA rats.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Research
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction can lead to adult dyslipidemia.
- Growth hormone (GH) therapy shows promise for improving metabolic parameters in children born small for gestational age (SGA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if GH treatment during adolescence can reverse adult-onset dyslipidemia in SGA rats.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying GH's effects on lipid metabolism in SGA adults.
Main Methods:
- Established an SGA rat model via maternal semi-starvation.
- Administered GH or saline to SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) rats from day 21 to 35.
- Assessed body weight, length, serum triglycerides, hepatic gene expression (AMPK-α1, SREBP-1c, ACC-1), and histone acetylation in adulthood.
Main Results:
- SGA rats exhibited reduced body size, elevated triglycerides, and altered hepatic gene expression (decreased AMPK-α1, increased SREBP-1c and ACC-1) compared to AGA rats.
- GH treatment in adult SGA rats restored body size and normalized triglyceride levels.
- GH administration reversed the expression changes of AMPK-α1, SREBP-1c, and ACC-1, accompanied by increased histone H3 acetylation at the AMPK-α1 promoter.
Conclusions:
- A short course of GH treatment in adult SGA rats can effectively reverse dyslipidemia.
- GH therapy normalizes lipid metabolism by modulating hepatic gene expression and epigenetic modifications at the AMPK-α1 promoter.
Abstract:
The abnormal intrauterine milieu of fetal growth retardation could lead to dyslipidemia in adulthood. Studies have shown that growth hormone (GH) therapy in small for gestational age (SGA) children would be beneficial for metabolic parameters. Here we investigated whether GH treatment introduced at adolescent period in SGA could reverse dyslipidemia during later life. SGA rat model was established by using semi-starvation treatment during the whole pregnancy. SGA or appropriate for gestational age (AGA) offspring were assigned to receive GH or normal saline (NS). Once-daily subcutaneous injections of GH were administered between 21-35 days of age. In adulthood, as compared to AGA, SGA showed: (1) decreased body weight and length; (2) increased serum triglycerides; (3) down-regulated hepatic AMPK-α1 but up-regulated SREBP-1c and ACC-1; (4) a significant reduction in histone H3 acetylation at the promoter of AMPK-α1. Exogenous GH administration led to a restoration of body weight and length and normalized serum triglycerides by reversing expression of AMPK-α1 and its targeted genes SREBP-1c and ACC-1, through increasing H3 acetylation at the promoter of AMPK-α1 in SGA in adult period. These results demonstrated positive effects on lipid metabolism by a short treatment course of GH in SGA adult period.
More Related Videos
06:16White and Brown Adipose Grafts: An Approach to Correct Reproductive, Metabolic, and Renal Deficits in Black and Tan Brachyury (BTBR) Obese Mice
Published on: September 9, 2025
06:11Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring
Published on: May 17, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:16Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
01:24Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...