Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow
10:25

In Utero Intra-cardiac Tomato-lectin Injections on Mouse Embryos to Gauge Renal Blood Flow

Published on: February 4, 2015

9.7K

Impacts of low birthweight on kidney development and intergenerational growth of the offspring

Akiyo Sekimoto1,2, Yoko Takaso1, Haruka Saruyama1

  • 1Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.

Iscience
|November 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight (LBW) in mice leads to adult kidney issues and affects the next generation. Tadalafil treatment reduced hypertension and improved kidney health in LBW offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Low birth weight (LBW) is linked to adult diseases and intergenerational health risks.
  • Mechanisms and interventions for LBW-associated consequences remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cross-generational effects of LBW using a mouse model.
  • To evaluate tadalafil's therapeutic potential in mitigating LBW-associated health issues.

Main Methods:

  • Established a mouse model of LBW using reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP).
  • Assessed renal development, adult blood pressure, and renal pathology in LBW offspring (R1) and tadalafil-treated R1 mice.
  • Examined reproductive outcomes, liver function, and placental development in pregnant R1 mice.

Main Results:

  • RUPP-pups (R1) exhibited lower birth weights, delayed renal development, and fewer glomeruli.
  • Adult R1 mice showed persistent glomeruli reduction and elevated blood pressure.
  • Tadalafil treatment reduced hypertension in both sexes and improved renal pathology in males.
  • Pregnant R1 mice had impaired liver metabolism and placental angiogenesis, causing subsequent-generation growth restriction.

Conclusions:

  • LBW has lasting impacts on adult health and affects future generations.
  • Tadalafil shows potential in mitigating LBW-associated hypertension and renal damage.
  • Intergenerational effects of LBW highlight the need for early interventions.

Keywords:
Biological sciencesMetabolomicsPhysiology

More Related Videos

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis04:57

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis

Published on: April 25, 2025

426
A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

10.3K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
57
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
2.4K
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
20.4K
Physiology of Urine Formation01:24

Physiology of Urine Formation

Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
3.1K
Nephrons01:10

Nephrons

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma...
2.2K
Internal Anatomy of the Kidney01:12

Internal Anatomy of the Kidney

The kidneys are essential organs in the human body, performing a myriad of tasks that maintain homeostasis and overall health.
Anatomical Position and Dimensions
The kidneys are retroperitoneal organs positioned against the posterior abdominal wall on either side of the spine, roughly between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is typically 10-12 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams.
Renal Cortex
The outermost region of the kidney is the...
1.3K