The effects of exposure to and timing of a choline-deficient diet during pregnancy and early postnatal life on the skeletal muscle transcriptome of the offspring
Type
Journal article
Language
English
Date issued
2024
Author
Żuk, Ewelina
Blatkiewicz, Malgorzata
Jopek, Karol
Rucinski, Marcin
Faculty
Wydział Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu
Journal
Clinical Nutrition
ISSN
0261-5614
Volume
43
Number
6, June 2024
Pages from-to
1503-1515
Abstract (EN)
Background & aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to muscle loss, but the precise
mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The aim of the present study was thus to
determine the influence of maternal fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency during pregnancy and/or
lactation periods on the skeletal muscle gene expression profile among 24-day-old male rat offspring.
Methods: Histological examination of skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained from offspring of dams
suffering from fatty liver, provided with proper choline intake during pregnancy and lactation (NN), fed a
choline-deficient diet during both periods (DD), deprived of choline only during pregnancy (DN), or only
during lactation (ND), was performed. The global transcriptome pattern was assessed using a microarray
approach (Affymetrix® Rat Gene 2.1 ST Array Strip). The relative expression of selected genes was
validated by real-time PCR (qPCR).
Results: Morphological differences in fat accumulation in skeletal muscle related to choline supply were
observed. The global gene expression profile was consistent with abnormal morphological changes.
Mettl21c gene was overexpressed in all choline-deficient groups compared to the NN group, while two
genes, Cdkn1a and S100a4, were downregulated. Processes of protein biosynthesis were upregulated, and
processes related to cell proliferation and lipid metabolism were inhibited in DD, DN, and ND groups
compared to the NN group.
Conclusions: Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency leads to
changes in the transcriptome profile in skeletal muscle of 24-day old male rat offspring and is associated
with muscle damage, but the mechanism of it seems to be different at different developmental stages of
life. Adequate choline intake during pregnancy and lactation can prevent severe muscle disturbance in
the progeny of females suffering from fatty liver
mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. The aim of the present study was thus to
determine the influence of maternal fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency during pregnancy and/or
lactation periods on the skeletal muscle gene expression profile among 24-day-old male rat offspring.
Methods: Histological examination of skeletal muscle tissue specimens obtained from offspring of dams
suffering from fatty liver, provided with proper choline intake during pregnancy and lactation (NN), fed a
choline-deficient diet during both periods (DD), deprived of choline only during pregnancy (DN), or only
during lactation (ND), was performed. The global transcriptome pattern was assessed using a microarray
approach (Affymetrix® Rat Gene 2.1 ST Array Strip). The relative expression of selected genes was
validated by real-time PCR (qPCR).
Results: Morphological differences in fat accumulation in skeletal muscle related to choline supply were
observed. The global gene expression profile was consistent with abnormal morphological changes.
Mettl21c gene was overexpressed in all choline-deficient groups compared to the NN group, while two
genes, Cdkn1a and S100a4, were downregulated. Processes of protein biosynthesis were upregulated, and
processes related to cell proliferation and lipid metabolism were inhibited in DD, DN, and ND groups
compared to the NN group.
Conclusions: Prenatal and early postnatal exposure to fatty liver and dietary choline deficiency leads to
changes in the transcriptome profile in skeletal muscle of 24-day old male rat offspring and is associated
with muscle damage, but the mechanism of it seems to be different at different developmental stages of
life. Adequate choline intake during pregnancy and lactation can prevent severe muscle disturbance in
the progeny of females suffering from fatty liver
License
Closed Access
Closed Access