title: Corticosteroid-mediated programming and the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have shown that low birthweight is associated with increased risk of development of diabetes and obesity in later life. Over-exposure of the developing fetus to glucocorticoids is one of the major hypotheses that has been proposed to explain this association. In animal models, a range of manipulations that increase fetal glucocorticoid load, 'programme' permanent changes in glucose and insulin metabolism and adiposity. This may be mediated by alterations in regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In humans, low birthweight is associated with increased circulating glucocorticoid levels, and an increased cortisol response to physiological and psychosocial stressors, in child- and adulthood. This activation of the HPA axis is also associated with increased risk of development of diabetes and obesity in later life.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. R.Reynolds@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000506:poisoning*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose