K E Brett1, Z M Ferraro2, M Holcik3, K B Adamo4. 1. Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: kebrett@cheo.on.ca. 2. Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada. Electronic address: zach.ferraro@gmail.com. 3. Molecular Biomedicine Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, 5 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: martin@arc.cheo.ca. 4. Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, 5 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada. Electronic address: kadamo@cheo.on.ca.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adequate nutrient delivery to the fetus is essential for optimal growth. Differences in prenatal physical activity level and diet quality influence maternal energy balance and these factors may alter placental nutrient transport. We investigated the associations between meeting physical activity guidelines and the quality of maternal diet on the expression of genes involved in fatty acid, amino acid and glucose transport, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin signaling in the placenta from 16 term pregnancies. METHODS: Physical activity was directly measured with accelerometry, diet composition was assessed with 24 h dietary recalls, and gene expression was measured with custom polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. RESULTS: Women who met physical activity guidelines had lower gene expression of fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and the beta non-catalytic subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and a higher expression of SNAT2. There was a strong positive correlation observed between total sugar intake and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) (r = 0.897, p = 0.000, n = 12), and inverse correlations between total sugar and mTOR and IGF1 expression. Percentage of total calories from protein was inversely related to insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) (r = -0.605, p = 0.028, n = 13). DISCUSSION: Variations in maternal physical activity and diet composition altered the expression of genes involved in fatty acid, amino acid and glucose transport and mTOR signaling. Future research on placental nutrient transport should include direct measures of maternal PA and dietary habits to help eliminate confounding factors.
INTRODUCTION: Adequate nutrient delivery to the fetus is essential for optimal growth. Differences in prenatal physical activity level and diet quality influence maternal energy balance and these factors may alter placental nutrient transport. We investigated the associations between meeting physical activity guidelines and the quality of maternal diet on the expression of genes involved in fatty acid, amino acid and glucose transport, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin signaling in the placenta from 16 term pregnancies. METHODS: Physical activity was directly measured with accelerometry, diet composition was assessed with 24 h dietary recalls, and gene expression was measured with custom polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. RESULTS:Women who met physical activity guidelines had lower gene expression of fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and the beta non-catalytic subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and a higher expression of SNAT2. There was a strong positive correlation observed between total sugar intake and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) (r = 0.897, p = 0.000, n = 12), and inverse correlations between total sugar and mTOR and IGF1 expression. Percentage of total calories from protein was inversely related to insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) (r = -0.605, p = 0.028, n = 13). DISCUSSION: Variations in maternal physical activity and diet composition altered the expression of genes involved in fatty acid, amino acid and glucose transport and mTOR signaling. Future research on placental nutrient transport should include direct measures of maternal PA and dietary habits to help eliminate confounding factors.
Authors: Yeukai T M Mangwiro; James S M Cuffe; Dayana Mahizir; Kristina Anevska; Sogand Gravina; Tania Romano; Karen M Moritz; Jessica F Briffa; Mary E Wlodek Journal: J Physiol Date: 2019-03-01 Impact factor: 5.182