title: Changes in the expression of hypothalamic lipid sensing genes in rat model of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
abstract: Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes in later life. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown. Recent data suggest that some of the molecular defects underlying type 2 diabetes reside in the CNS. The enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) regulates long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) entry into mitochondria, where LCFA undergo beta-oxidation. Hypothalamic inhibition of CPT1 decreases food intake and suppresses endogenous glucose production. Our aim was to investigate the effects of uterine artery ligation, a procedure that mimics uteroplacental insufficiency, on the CNS expression of CPT1 and other key enzymes of LCFA metabolism. Bilateral uterine artery ligation was performed on d 19 of gestation in the pregnant rat; sham-operated pregnant rats served as controls. Hypothalamus, cerebellum, hippocampus, and cortex were dissected and analyzed at birth by real-time PCR. Nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) serum levels were significantly higher in IUGR pups (p<0.0001). In IUGR rats, the hypothalamic expression of CPT1 isoform C (p=0.005) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) isoforms alpha (p<0.05) and beta (p=0.005) were significantly decreased. The data presented here support the hypothesis that an abnormal intrauterine milieu can induce changes in hypothalamic lipid sensing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Cell Biology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puglianiello
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antignani
authors.forename: Gianpaolo Scalia
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tomba
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cianfarani
mesh_terms: D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002334:Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D002334:Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase