mothers are more likely to develop obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the underlying mechanisms behind this link are not fully understood. In this study, the researchers found that maternal obesity can lead to long-term changes in the expression of a specific microRNA, miR-505-5p, which in turn impacts the eating behaviors of offspring.
The study used a mouse model to investigate the effects of maternal obesity on offspring. The researchers found that the offspring of obese mothers had elevated levels of miR-505-5p in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and metabolism. This overexpression of miR-505-5p was associated with changes in the expression of genes involved in appetite regulation, leading to altered eating behaviors in the offspring.
These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of maternal obesity on offspring, and may have implications for understanding and potentially addressing the increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in the offspring of obese mothers.
mothers have an increased chance of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. This connection is likely due to a complex interplay of genetics and environment, but new evidence suggests that maternal obesity can impact the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating energy balance and sensing nutrition. Research on animals has shown that offspring exposed to overnutrition during critical development periods tend to eat more, but the specific molecular mechanisms behind these changes in eating habits are not well understood.
A recent study discovered that mice born to obese mothers had elevated levels of the microRNA miR-505-5p in their hypothalamus.The researchers discovered that maternal obesity has a significant impact on the eating behaviors of mice, leading to increased food consumption and a preference for high-fat foods. However, this effect was reduced when the mothers exercised during pregnancy. Additionally, cell culture experiments revealed that exposing hypothalamic neurons to long-chain fatty acids and insulin, both of which are high in pregnancies complicated by obesity, led to an increase in the expression of miR-505-5p. This miRNA was identified as a novel regulator of pathways involved in fatty acid uptake and metabolism, suggesting its role in the effects of maternal obesity on eating behaviors.The miRNA affects the offspring’s brain and its ability to detect high-fat foods. Many of the genes regulated by miR-505-5p are linked to a high body mass index in human genetic research. This study is one of the first to reveal the molecular mechanism connecting prenatal nutritional exposure to eating habits. The authors also state that obesity during pregnancy alters the baby’s brain, leading to increased consumption of high-fat foods in adulthood and a higher risk of developing obesity. Furthermore, they found that moderate exercise during pregnancies affected by obesity can prevent these changes without causing weight loss.The impact of a mother’s obesity on her baby’s brain has been a topic of interest for researchers. Understanding the changes in the baby’s brain can shed light on why the children of obese mothers are at a higher risk of obesity themselves. This risk is influenced by early life experiences, genetic factors, and the current environment.
