An Update of Fetal and Placental Metabolism: Carbohydrate and Amino Acids

Battaglia, Frederick C.

doi:10.1159/000242938

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

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“…Carbohydrates are the main substrate of fetal and placental metabolism, and adequate intake, absorption and distribution are required for healthy pregnancy outcome (Battaglia 1989, Hay 1991. Pregnancy is an insulin resistant state, with both hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance peaking in the third trimester (Cousins et al 1980, Buchanan et al 1990, Catalano et al 1993.…”

Section: Carbohydratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient availability, the microbiome, and intestinal transport during pregnancy

Astbury

Mostyn

Symonds

et al. 2015

Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab.

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Adequate adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract is important during pregnancy to ensure that the increased metabolic demands by the developing fetus are met. These include changes in surface area mediated by villus hypertrophy and enhanced functional capacity of individual nutrient receptors, including those transporting glucose, fructose, leucine, and calcium. These processes are regulated either by the enhanced nutrient demand or are facilitated by changes in the secretion of pregnancy hormones. Our review also covers recent research into the microbiome, and how pregnancy could lead to microbial adaptations, which are beneficial to the mother, yet are also similar to those seen in the metabolic syndrome. The potential role of diet in modulating the microbiome during pregnancy, as well as the potential for the intestinal microbiota to induce pregnancy complications, are examined. Gaps in the current literature are highlighted, including those where only historical evidence is available, and we suggest areas that should be a priority for further research. In summary, although a significant degree of adaptation has been described, there are both well-established processes and more recent discoveries, such as changes within the maternal microbiome, that pose new questions as to how the gastrointestinal tract effectively adapts to pregnancy, especially in conjunction with maternal obesity.

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Section: Carbohydratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient availability, the microbiome, and intestinal transport during pregnancy

Astbury

Mostyn

Symonds

et al. 2015

Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab.

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“…The main source of fetal lactate is the placenta itself, however, because the synthesis of lactate from glucose is very high in this tissue during late gestation. Alternatively, fetal tissues may also synthesize lactate owing to the high activity of anaerobic glycolysis in the fetus (Burd et al, 1975; Battaglia, 1989). As a result, lactate accumulates in fetal blood during late gestation (Girard et al, 1977).…”

Section: Energy Homeostasis Of the Brain During The Perinatal Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lactate utilization by brain cells and its role in CNS development

Medina

Tabernero

2004

J of Neuroscience Research

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We studied the role played by lactate as an important substrate for the brain during the perinatal period. Under these circumstances, lactate is the main substrate for brain development and is used as a source of energy and carbon skeletons. In fact, lactate is used actively by brain cells in culture. Neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes use lactate as a preferential substrate for both energy purposes and as precursor of lipids. Astrocytes use lactate and other metabolic substrates for the synthesis of oleic acid, a new neurotrophic factor. Oligodendrocytes mainly use lactate as precursor of lipids, presumably those used to synthesize myelin. Neurons use lactate as a source of energy and as precursor of lipids. During the perinatal period, neurons may use blood lactate directly to meet the need for the energy and carbon skeletons required for proliferation and differentiation. During adult life, however, the lactate used by neurons may come from astrocytes, in which lactate is the final product of glycogen breakdown. It may be concluded that lactate plays an important role in brain development.

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“…BCAA intermediaries, normally present in the placental circulation and abnormally elevated in adults and children with inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism, have been implicated in the persistence of fetal hemoglobin beyond infancy seen in a few metabolic derangements [30][31][32]. We wanted to test whether BCAA intermediaries, as a class of compounds, act like the paradigmatic metabolic inducer of fetal hemoglobin, butyrate; the shared cellular and molecular effects would suggest a commonality of underlying molecular regulatory mechanism(s):…”

Section: Experimental Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%