Maternal Micronutrient Restriction Alters Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial DNA Damage Per Se Predisposes the Offspring to Insulin Resistance in Later Life

M. S. Mohamed Jaabir¹*, Jf. Rosario², S. Senthil Kumar¹, P. Geraldine³

¹Dept. of Biotechnology, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli - 620 020, Tamil Nadu, India.

²Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Texas, Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas-78229-3900, USA.

³Dept. of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli - 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:mohamedjaabir@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT: Intrauterine and early post-natal malnutrition has profound consequences on foetal and post-natal development in both humans and animals. A study was carried out in the experimental mouse model to determine whether maternal micronutrient restriction alters skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA and predisposes the offspring to insulin resistance in later life. Female weanling mice received a control or a 50% micronutrient restricted diet and mated with control males. Pups born to the dams on the restricted diet were weaned on to the restricted diet till post natal day (PD) 360. At birth, pups from deficient dams had reduced birth weight and crown rump length. There was a decrease in insulin-stimulated uptake in restricted group. Mitochondrial DNA damage and apoptosis in the skeletal muscle cells were also observed in the restricted group, strongly suggesting the molecular mechanisms underpinning long-term programming and onset of adult life disorders.

KEYWORDS: Micronutrient restriction; insulin resistance; mitochondrial DNA Damage; apoptosis; skeletal muscle; adult life disorders  

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