Abstract Folate is a critical methyl-group donor in one-carbon metabolism, and maternal folate exposure during pregnancy has been proposed to influence DNA methylation at imprinted loci involved in fetal growth and developmental programming. This systematic review evaluated the association between maternal folate intake during pregnancy and DNA methylation at the IGF2-H19 locus in offspring tissues. PubMed, Embase, and Epistemonikos were systematically searched for human studies assessing folate or folic acid exposure during pregnancy and DNA methylation at IGF2 and/or H19 in pregnancy-related tissues. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-E for observational studies and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool for randomized controlled trials. Fifteen reports from nine countries met the eligibility criteria, including two randomized controlled trials, two cross-sectional studies, and eleven cohort studies. Findings were heterogeneous according to genomic region, tissue type, and exposure window. Folic acid supplementation showed the most consistent associations at the H19 imprinting control region, where inverse associations with methylation were reported in some cord blood analyses. Results for IGF2 DMR2 varied across studies, whereas associations involving blood folate biomarkers were generally weak and tissue-specific, and dietary folate intake was largely null. No observational study was judged at low overall risk of bias, and both randomized trials were assessed as having some concerns. Overall, maternal folic acid supplementation was associated with modest, region-specific differences in DNA methylation at the IGF2-H19 locus; however, methodological limitations and heterogeneity across studies preclude firm conclusions regarding the biological significance of these associations.
Abstract Maternal obesity is associated with several disorders, and its neonatal impacts include macrosomia. Botryosphaeran, a (1→3)(1→6)-β-D-glucan, produced by the fungus Botryosphaeria rhodina exhibits antiobesogenic effects in rats. The objective of this work was to evaluate, for the first time, the effects of botryosphaeran on obese and non-obese rats during the pregnancy period and its effects on offspring. Female Wistar rats ( n = 18) were separated into two groups: control, which received commercial ration and water; and obese, that received high-fat ration and water with sucrose (300 g/liter), for 8 weeks. In the 8 th week, the rats were divided in the proportion of two rats to one breeding male. After confirmation of pregnancy, the females were subdivided into 4 groups: Pregnancy Control, Botryosphaeran Pregnancy Control, Pregnancy Obese, and Botryosphaeran Pregnancy Obese. In the last 2-thirds of gestation, rats of the botryosphaeran group received the -glucan solution (12 mg/kg/day, via gavage), the control and obese rats received saline solution. At the end of the experiment, the mothers and their offspring were evaluated. Obese mothers had fat accumulation, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Botryosphaeran significantly reduced blood glucose, corrected insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. The female and male offspring of the obese group showed higher weight gain, adipose tissue accumulation, soleus muscle reduction, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Botryosphaeran was effective in correcting these parameters. In conclusion, botryosphaeran exerts significant and promising effects, including antiobesogenic, hypocholesterolemic, and insulin sensitizing action in mothers and their offspring, demonstrating botryosphaeran as a potential agent to prevent obesity and its comorbidities.
The aim was to investigate the association between maternal diet quality in early pregnancy and infant anthropometric outcomes at birth and at six months of age among Brazilian women with overweight. Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial included 238 pregnant women and 192 mother-infant pairs with data at birth and six months, respectively. 24-h dietary recalls were obtained between 3 and 15 gestational weeks. Diet quality was evaluated using the Diet Quality Index Adapted for Pregnant Women (IQDaG). Linear regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors, including treatment group (control/intervention) were used to investigate the associations. Higher maternal diet quality (IQDaG score) was positively associated with birth weight (beta = 12.311; 95% CI: 5.163, 19.458; p = 0.001), birth weight Z-score (beta = 0.024; 95% CI: 0.007, 0.041; p = 0.007), birth length (beta = 0.050; 95% CI: 0.015, 0.084; p = 0.005), birth length Z-score (beta = 0.030; 95% CI: 0.008, 0.052; p = 0.008), and ponderal index (beta = 0.044; 95% CI: 0.010, 0.078; p = 0.011), and inversely associated with small for gestational age (beta = -0.006; 95% CI: -0.009, -0.002; p = 0.002) and low birth weight (beta = -0.007; 95% CI: -0.010, -0.003; p < 0.001). No significant associations were observed with others neonatal indicators. At six months of age, IQDaG score was positively associated with infant length (beta = 0.061; 95% CI: 0.019, 0.103; p = 0.004) and length-for-age Z-score (beta = 0.204; 95% CI: 0.007, 0.401; p = 0.006), but not with weight-related indicators. These findings suggest that better maternal diet quality in early pregnancy is associated with more favorable fetal growth and may be particularly related to linear growth during infancy.
Public understanding of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) remains limited, hindering efforts to shift health behaviours and policy. Arts-based knowledge translation (ABKT) offers a promising approach to engage the public with complex health science. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a multi-site exhibition co-developed by scientists, artists, and community members to convey DOHaD concepts. The Art of Creation Exhibition, shown in a mid-sized Canadian city in gallery and community settings, featured professional and community-created artworks and interactive activities. Using a parallel convergent mixed methods design, we collected and analysed observational notes, written reflections, analytics from QR codes linked to information about the artworks and DOHaD, and structured activity responses. Quantitative data were analysed using Firth-penalised logistic regression and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data underwent conventional content analysis. Findings were integrated narratively. The Exhibition was successfully installed at all sites, although space and security constraints in community settings required adaptation. 93% of observed individuals at the gallery site engaged with the exhibition, compared to 3%-17% at community sites. Gallery visitors engaged with more artworks for longer. Viewing over half of the artworks was associated with higher odds of endorsing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) (OR = 6.63, 95% CI [1.22, 68.34]). Written and verbal feedback demonstrated increased awareness, emotional engagement, and interest in further learning. Despite some misinterpretation and low fidelity of interactive activities, the Exhibition was well received and evoked critical reflection. Using ABKT for DOHaD can enhance health literacy, foster dialogue about the SDoH, and support equitable health communication.
