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Effect of Gender on Metabolic and Neurodevelopmental Parameters of Postnatally Growth-Restricted Rats Undergoing
Faiza Ikram1,2, Muhammad Ali Rabani, Sidra Arshad1,2
1Department of Physiology, CMH Multan Institute of Medical Sciences, Multan, Pakistan.
Insights
Early malnutrition in rodents impacts neurodevelopment, especially in females. Normal catch-up growth is better for metabolic and cognitive outcomes than accelerated growth.
Area of Science:
- Comparative physiology
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Early postnatal malnutrition and extrauterine growth restriction are critical concerns in preterm infant care.
- Leptin and triacylglycerides are key metabolic markers influenced by nutritional status.
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes are significantly affected by early nutritional insults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term metabolic and neurodevelopmental effects of early malnutrition and varying catch-up growth strategies.
- To compare these effects in male and female rodent models, simulating human preterm infants.
- To identify gender-specific responses to nutritional interventions.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 142 neonatal Wistar rats.
- Stratification into subgroups simulating postnatal malnutrition and catch-up growth scenarios.
- Assessment of metabolic parameters (serum glucose, leptin, triacylglycerides) and neurocognitive function (passive avoidance test).
Main Results:
- Accelerated catch-up growth normalized weight gain but elevated fasting serum glucose levels.
- Malnourished females showed significant learning and memory deficits with accelerated or no catch-up growth.
- Normal catch-up growth in females mitigated neurocognitive deficits compared to normally fed controls.
Conclusions:
- Normal catch-up growth provides more favorable metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes than accelerated growth.
- Female rodents exhibited particular vulnerability in neurodevelopment, irrespective of catch-up growth intensity.
- Gender-specific nutritional strategies are crucial for optimizing preterm infant care and development.
Objective:
To determine the long-term effects of early postnatal malnutrition and various degrees of catch-up growth on metabolic (serum glucose, leptin, triacylglycerides) and neurodevelopmental parameters (learning and memory) among male and female rodent models, mimicking human preterm infants.
Study Design:
Randomized controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: CMH Multan Insitute of Medical Sciences, from September 2021 to December 2021.
Methdology:
This study included 142 neonatal Wister rats, stratified into subgroups to mimic the human preterm infant model of postnatal malnutrition and catch-up growth. Metabolic consequences were assessed via serum analysis of glucose, leptin, and triacylglycerides. The neurocognitive comparison was made among subgroups via a passive avoidance test. Gender-specific comparison of all quantitative parameters was made among subgroups.
Results:
Malnourished rats with accelerated catch-up growth achieved similar weight gain as normally fed rats when provided with adlibitum feeding in both males (p = 0.92) and females (p >0.99). Rats undergoing accelerated catch-up growth exhibited higher fasting serum glucose levels compared to those undergoing no, or normal catch-up growth (p <0.001). Malnourished female rats undergoing accelerated (p = 0.007), or no catchup growth (p = 0.004) exhibited significant deficits in learning and memory as compared to normally fed rats. Female malnourished rats with normal catchup growth exhibited no neurocognitive deficit as compared to normally fed rats (p = 0.08).
Conclusion:
Accelerated catch-up growth effectively addresses somatic growth disparities, while normal catch-up growth offers more favourable metabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Particularly, female malnourished rats exhibited poor neurodevelopment in response to both accelerated and no catch-up growth. Gender-specific variations in neurodevelopment underscore the need for personalised care approaches for preterm nutritional care.
Key Words:
Growth retardation, Leptin, Extrauterine growth restriction, Malnutrition, Neurodevelopment.
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