Effect of reducing the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on the maternal and fetal leptin axis in relation to infant body composition.

To investigate the effect of reducing the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio in maternal nutrition on the maternal and cord blood leptin axis and their association with infant body composition up to 2 years. 208 healthy pregnant women were randomized to either a dietary intervention to reduce the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio from 15th week of gestation until 4 months postpartum or a control group. Leptin, soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index were determined in maternal and cord plasma and related to infant body composition assessed by skinfold thicknesses up to 2 years. The intervention had no effect on either the maternal or fetal leptin axis. Maternal leptin in late pregnancy was inversely related to infant weight and lean body mass (LBM) up to 2 years, after multiple adjustments. Cord leptin was positively related to weight, body fat, and LBM at birth, and inversely associated with weight, BMI, fat mass, and LBM at 2 years and weight gain up to 2 years. The contribution of cord leptin to infant outcomes was overall stronger compared with maternal leptin. Both, maternal and fetal leptin were associated with subsequent infant anthropometry with a greater impact of fetal leptin.

Brunner S ，Schmid D ，Hüttinger K ，Much D ，Brüderl M ，Sedlmeier EM ，Kratzsch J ，Amann-Gassnerl U ，Bader BL ，Hauner H ... -  《-》

Effect of dietary intervention to reduce the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio on maternal and fetal fatty acid profile and its relation to offspring growth and body composition at 1 year of age.

Much D ，Brunner S ，Vollhardt C ，Schmid D ，Sedlmeier EM ，Brüderl M ，Heimberg E ，Bartke N ，Boehm G ，Bader BL ，Amann-Gassner U ，Hauner H ... -  《-》

Maternal insulin resistance, triglycerides and cord blood insulin in relation to post-natal weight trajectories and body composition in the offspring up to 2 years.

The intrauterine metabolic environment might have a programming effect on offspring body composition. We aimed to explore associations of maternal variables of glucose and lipid metabolism during pregnancy, as well as cord blood insulin, with infant growth and body composition up to 2 years post-partum. Data of pregnant women and their infants came from a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the impact of nutritional fatty acids on adipose tissue development in the offspring. Of the 208 pregnant women enrolled, 118 infants were examined at 2 years. In the present analysis, maternal fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and serum triglycerides measured during pregnancy, as well as insulin in umbilical cord plasma, were related to infant growth and body composition assessed by skinfold thickness measurements and abdominal ultrasonography up to 2 years of age. Maternal homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance at the 32nd week of gestation was significantly inversely associated with infant lean body mass at birth, whereas the change in serum triglycerides during pregnancy was positively associated with ponderal index at 4 months, but not at later time points. Cord plasma insulin correlated positively with birthweight and neonatal fat mass and was inversely associated with body weight gain up to 2 years after multiple adjustments. Subsequent stratification by gender revealed that this relationship with weight gain was stronger, and significant only in girls. Cord blood insulin is inversely associated with subsequent infant weight gain up to 2 years and this seems to be more pronounced in girls.

Brunner S ，Schmid D ，Hüttinger K ，Much D ，Heimberg E ，Sedlmeier EM ，Brüderl M ，Kratzsch J ，Bader BL ，Amann-Gassner U ，Hauner H ... -  《-》

The impact of nutritional fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation on early human adipose tissue development. Rationale and design of the INFAT study.

Recent observational studies suggest that mean birth weight and body fat growth in the first year of life have increased continuously over the last decades. Both elevated birth weight and early fat mass are potential risk factors for childhood obesity. Experimental and limited clinical data suggest that the dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) during pregnancy is critical for early adipose tissue growth. The aim of this randomized controlled study is to examine the effect of the supplementation with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated FAs and reduction in the n-6/n-3 ratio in the diet of pregnant women/breast-feeding mothers on adipose tissue growth in their newborns using various methods for the assessment of body fat mass. Measurement of skinfold thickness in the newborn is the primary outcome parameter. Two hundred and four pregnant women will be recruited before the 15th week of gestation and randomly assigned to either active intervention or an isocaloric control diet. This upcoming study will explore the potential of this dietary approach to limit early adipose tissue growth and may contribute to the development of a new strategy for the primary prevention of childhood obesity.

Hauner H ，Vollhardt C ，Schneider KT ，Zimmermann A ，Schuster T ，Amann-Gassner U ... -  《-》

Maternal and neonatal plasma n-3 and n-6 fatty acids of pregnant women and neonates in three regions in China with contrasting dietary patterns.

Zhang J ，Wang Y ，Meng L ，Wang C ，Zhao W ，Chen J ，Ghebremeskel K ，Crawford MA ... -  《ASIA PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION》