Low and High Dietary Protein:Carbohydrate Ratios during Pregnancy Affect Materno-Fetal Glucose Metabolism in Pigs. Issue 2 (18th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Metges, Cornelia C.; Görs, Solvig; Lang, Iris S.; Hammon, Harald M.; Brüssow, Klaus-Peter; Weitzel, Joachim M.; Nürnberg, Gerd; Rehfeldt, Charlotte; Otten, Winfried
• Is Part Of: Journal of nutrition. Volume 144:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2013-12-18
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.3945/jn.113.182691
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3166

Abstract

Abstract: Inadequate dietary protein during pregnancy causes intrauterine growth retardation. Whether this is related to altered maternal and fetal glucose metabolism was examined in pregnant sows comparing a high-protein:low-carbohydrate diet (HP-LC; 30% protein, 39% carbohydrates) with a moderately low-protein:high-carbohydrate diet (LP-HC; 6.5% protein, 68% carbohydrates) and the isoenergetic standard diet (ST; 12.1% protein, 60% carbohydrates). During late pregnancy, maternal and umbilical glucose metabolism and fetal hepatic mRNA expression of gluconeogenic enzymes were examined. During an i.v. glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), the LP-HC–fed sows had lower insulin concentrations and area under the curve (AUC), and higher glucose:insulin ratios than the ST– and the HP-LC–fed sows ( P < 0.05). Insulin sensitivity and glucose clearance were higher in the LP-HC sows compared with ST sows ( P < 0.05). Glucagon concentrations during postabsorptive conditions and IVGTT, and glucose AUC during IVGTT, were higher in the HP-LC group compared with the other groups ( P < 0.001). 13 C glucose oxidation was lower in the HP-LC sows than in the ST and LP-HC sows ( P < 0.05). The HP-LC fetuses were lighter and had a higher brain:liver ratio than the ST group ( P < 0.05). The umbilical arterial inositol concentration was greater in the HP-LC group ( P < 0.05) and overall small fetuses (230–572 g) had higher values than medium and heavy fetuses (≥573 g) ( P < 0.05). Placental lactate release was lower in the LP-HC group than in the ST group ( P < 0.05). Fetal glucose extraction tended to be lower in the LP-HC group than in the ST group ( P = 0.07). In the HP-LC and LP-HC fetuses, hepatic mRNA expression of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase ( PCK1 ) and glucose-6-phosphatase ( G6PC ) was higher than in the ST fetuses ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, the HP-LC and LP-HC sows adapted by reducing glucose turnover and oxidation and having higher glucose utilization, respectively. The HP-LC and LP-HC fetuses adapted via prematurely expressed hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes.