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17 - The developmental environment and insulin resistance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2009

By
Noel H. Smith  and
Susan E. Ozanne
Edited by
Peter Gluckman  and
Mark Hanson
Noel H. Smith
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Susan E. Ozanne
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Peter Gluckman
Affiliation:
University of Auckland
Mark Hanson
Affiliation:
University of Southampton
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Summary

Introduction

The detrimental effects of an insult during a critical period of development have been recognised for many years. In the past 15 years there have been a number of epidemiological studies which have shown that there is a relationship between early growth restriction and the subsequent development of adult degenerative diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The mechanistic basis and the relative roles of genetic and environmental factors are unclear. However, there is growing evidence that the fetal and early environment play an important role in this relationship.

A number of different factors can result in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy is one cause of IUGR, because of inadequate nutrient delivery to the fetus. Growth restriction in offspring can be induced by the reduction of all nutrients in the mother's diet (global food restriction) or by the reduction of specific dietary nutrients such as protein and iron. Maternal stress can lead to IUGR, and this is thought at least in part to be mediated by overexposure to glucocorticoids. Overexposure of the fetus to glucocorticoids is known to lead to reductions in birthweight. In the Western world placental insufficiency is one of the most common causes of IUGR. It is not known if all modes of growth restriction result in the same phenotypic outcomes. To investigate these forms of growth restriction, animal models mimicking each of these causes of IUGR have been developed.

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Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , pp. 244 - 254
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2006

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