title: Maternal high-fat hypercaloric diet during pregnancy results in persistent metabolic and respiratory abnormalities in offspring.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have shown in a previous population-based study significant correlation between childhood asthma and early abnormalities of lipid and glucose metabolism. This study's specific aim was to determine whether maternal nutrition in pregnancy affects postnatal metabolic and respiratory outcomes in the offspring.
  
  
  METHODS
  On gestation day 1, dams were switched from standard chow to either high-fat hypercaloric diet or control diet. Terminal experiments were performed on newborn and weanling offspring of dams fed the study diet during gestation and lactation, and on adult offspring maintained on the same diet as their mother.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pups born from high-fat hypercaloric diet (HFD) dams developed metabolic abnormalities persistent throughout development. Cytokine expression analysis of lung tissues from newborns born to HFD dams revealed a strong proinflammatory pattern. Gene expression of neurotrophic factors and receptors was upregulated in lungs of weanlings born to HFD dams, and this was associated to higher respiratory system resistance and lower compliance at baseline, as well as hyperreactivity to aerosolized methacholine. Furthermore, HFD dams delivered pups prone to develop more severe disease after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal nutrition in pregnancy is a critical determinant of airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in offspring and also increases risk for bronchiolitis independent from prepregnancy nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Pamela S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
authors.forename: Lennie
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6824-4234
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samsell
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Pediatrics, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Miriam K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piedimonte
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000367:Age Factors; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors