Mood Disorders Induced by Maternal Overnutrition: The Role of the Gut-Brain Axis on the Development of Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

Since the first evidence suggesting that maternal nutrition can impact the development of diseases in the offspring, much has been elucidated about its effects on the offspring’s nervous system. Animal studies demonstrated that maternal obesity can predispose the offspring to greater chances of metabolic and neurodevelopmental diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying these responses are not well established. In recent years, the role of the gut-brain axis in the development of anxiety and depression in people with obesity has emerged. Studies investigating changes in the maternal microbiota during pregnancy and also in the offspring demonstrate that conditions such as maternal obesity can modulate the microbiota, leading to long-term outcomes in the offspring. Considering that maternal obesity has also been linked to the development of psychiatric conditions (anxiety and depression), the gut-brain axis is a promising target to be further explored in these neuropsychiatric contexts. In the present study, we review the relationship between maternal obesity and anxious and depressive features, exploring the gut-brain axis as a potential mechanism underlying this relationship.

Effects of Fructose and Palmitic Acid on Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…In the specific case of the decrease in isoleucine and leucine, it has been shown that the decrease in their synthesis can occur in patients with neurobiological disorders such as depression, and they have even been proposed as biomarkers of these alterations [ 43 ]. Furthermore, a correlation has been reported between overnutrition and the development of depression and anxiety [ 44 , 45 ]. Thus, the decrease observed in our experimental organisms could explain the previously described relationship between fructose and palmitic acid consumption and the development of neuronal alterations.…”

Maternal adherence to healthy lifestyle and risk of depressive symptoms in the offspring: mediation by offspring lifestyle

“…With growing evidence of the protective impact of modifiable healthy lifestyle behaviors on reducing the risk of depression, several studies further investigated if this benefit is transmitted intergenerationally to the offspring (Adjibade et al, 2018; Ashford, van Lier, Timmermans, Cuijpers, & Koot, 2008; Buttery, Mensink, & Busch, 2014; D'Onofrio et al, 2008; Indredavik et al, 2007; Jantsch et al, 2022; Loprinzi & Mahoney, 2014; Moylan et al, 2015). In a mother–child pairs study, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of internalizing psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression in the offspring (Moylan et al, 2015).…”

“…In a mother–child pairs study, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of internalizing psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression in the offspring (Moylan et al, 2015). Maternal obesity was associated with a higher risk of depressive and internalizing problems for offspring (Edlow, 2017; Jantsch et al, 2022). In addition, research on maternal alcohol consumption showed that no moderate alcohol intake during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of depression in the offspring (Easey, Timpson, & Munafò, 2020).…”

The Impact of Maternal Gut Microbiota during Pregnancy on Fetal Gut–Brain Axis Development and Life-Long Health Outcomes

“…HFD before and during pregnancy impairs maternal HPA axis plasticity, increases neural tube defects [ 100 ], impacts neurodevelopment during the fetal period [ 101 ], and results in depressive-like behavior in adolescent and adult offspring [ 91 ]. The Western diet, rich in fat and sugar, has been associated with obesity and low levels of maternal SCFAs related to gut dysbiosis [ 50 ].…”