As there is sexual dimorphism in the response to maternal manipulations, we aimed to analyse the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in both sexes on morphometric, metabolic and behavioural parameters throughout postnatal development, and after challenge with a hyperlipidic diet. Female Swiss mice (n = 59) were distributed into two groups (SD: standard diet, n = 26; and PDD: isocaloric protein-deficient diet, n = 33), 2 weeks before mating and during the gestational period. After birth, offspring from SD and PDD dams were cross-fostered and nurtured by SD dams until postnatal day (PND) 28. At PND 60 all animals were challenged with a hypercaloric diet for 4 weeks. Offspring birth weight was significantly reduced in the PDD group compared to the SD group (P = 0.0001), but only male offspring presented a rapid catch-up during the first 21 days of development. Although no differences in body weight were observed between groups after the challenge with the hyperlipidic diet, an increase in the relative perigonadal white adipose tissue (P = 0.009) and a decrease in gross gastrocnemius muscle weight (P = 0.010) were observed in the PDD males. In relation to behavioural tests, there was an increase in locomotion in both sexes (P = 0.0001), and a decrease in female grooming (P = 0.006) in the PDD group. Additionally, females from the PDD group showed increased hyperlipidic food intake. In conclusion, IUGR affected both sexes, with females showing prominent behavioural modifications and males presenting altered body composition elicited by a hyperlipidic diet.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the world’s population. Uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate (IS), p-Cresylsulfate (PCS) and indole acetic acid (IAA), are not sufficiently removed by conventional hemodialysis (HD) and have been associated with inflammation, poor quality of life, bone mineral disease (BMD) and endothelial injury. Online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) may promote greater clearance of uremic toxins than HD. However, there are few studies evaluating the effect of OL-HDF on serum levels of IS, PCS, IAA, and biomarkers associated with inflammatory, endothelial, and bone and mineral disorder in the elderly population. We evaluated the effect of 6 months of OL-HDF on the serum concentration of uremic toxins, biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial and bone mineral disorder in older patients on OL-HDF. IS, PCS, and IAA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. We included 31 patients (77.4 ± 7.1 years, 64.5% male, 35.5% diabetic, on maintenance dialysis for 45 ± 20 days). From baseline to 6 months there was a decrease in serum concentration of IS but not PCS and IAA. We found no change in serum concentration of inflammatory, endothelial, or mineral and bone biomarkers. In summary, OL-HDF was capable to reduce IS in older patients. Whether this reduction may have an impact on clinical outcomes deserves further evaluation.

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