Altered placental methyl donor transport in the dexamethasone programmed rat.
There is increasing evidence for a role for epigenetic modifications in early life 'programming' effects. Altered placental methyl donor transport may impact on the establishment of epigenetic marks in the fetus. This study investigated the effects of prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure on placental methyl donor transport. Glucocorticoids increased folate but decreased choline transport and reduced fetal plasma methionine levels. There was no change in global DNA methylation in fetal liver. These data suggest prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure causes complex alterations in the placental transport of key methyl donors which may have important implications for maternal diet and nutrient supplementation in pregnancy.
Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
C S
CS
Wyrwoll
D
D
Kerrigan
M C
MC
Holmes
J R
JR
Seckl
A J
AJ
Drake
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002794:Choline / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019175:DNA Methylation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008697:Methane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D008715:Methionine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
C051224:methyl radical; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine; D002794:Choline; D008697:Methane