Effect of Polyphenols Intake on Obesity-Induced Maternal Programming

Abstract

Excess caloric intake and body fat accumulation lead to obesity, a complex chronic disease that represents a significant public health problem due to the health-related risk factors. There is growing evidence showing that maternal obesity can program the offspring, which influences neonatal phenotype and predispose offspring to metabolic disorders such as obesity. This increased risk may also be epigenetically transmitted across generations. Thus, there is an imperative need to find effective reprogramming approaches in order to resume normal fetal development. Polyphenols are bioactive compounds found in vegetables and fruits that exert its anti-obesity effect through its powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Polyphenol supplementation has been proven to counteract the prejudicial effects of maternal obesity programming on progeny. Indeed, some polyphenols can cross the placenta and protect the fetal predisposition against obesity. The present review summarizes the effects of dietary polyphenols on obesity-induced maternal reprogramming as an offspring anti-obesity approach.

Early Life Programming of Adipose Tissue Remodeling and Browning Capacity by Micronutrients and Bioactive Compounds as a Potential Anti-Obesity Strategy

“…Several reports have indicated beneficial metabolic programming effects of maternal supplementation with polyphenols, including resveratrol, during the fetal and lactation stages, especially in the context of maternal HFD/obesity, as well as a reduction of body fat accumulation and metabolic disorders, such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and inflammation, and cognitive impairment, in the offspring in adulthood (reviewed in [96][97][98]). Since polyphenols have a wide range of activities, their beneficial effects are attributed to several interrelated mechanisms affecting oxidative stress, nutrient-sensing signals, and others [99].…”

Novel Insights on Dietary Polyphenols for Prevention in Early-Life Origins of Hypertension: A Review Focusing on Preclinical Animal Models

“…So far, no information is available from human clinical studies with regard to the effects of perinatal polyphenol supplementation on the offspring’s BP. Given that polyphenols appear to offer many promising health benefits, and that many polyphenols are claimed as nutraceuticals, it is no wonder supplementation with polyphenols during gestation and/or lactation has been examined in animal models to improve maternal and fetal outcomes [ 24 , 82 , 83 , 84 ].…”

Maternal Western diet programs cardiometabolic dysfunction and hypothalamic inflammation via epigenetic mechanisms predominantly in the male offspring

“…Maternal environmental exposure, including overnutrition during perinatal period, plays a role in epigenetic programming of the offspring and results in increased disease susceptibility later in life [ [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] ]. Cardiometabolic disorders due to chronic overnutrition are associated with hypothalamic inflammation [ [16] , [17] , [18] ] and pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in local inflammatory response [ 19 , 20 ].…”