Dataset Information

In Vivo Detection of Perinatal Brain Metabolite Changes in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

ABSTRACT: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for abnormal neurodevelopment. We studied a rabbit model of IUGR by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), to assess in vivo brain structural and metabolic consequences, and identify potential metabolic biomarkers for clinical translation.IUGR was induced in 3 pregnant rabbits at gestational day 25, by 40-50% uteroplacental vessel ligation in one horn; the contralateral horn was used as control. Fetuses were delivered at day 30 and weighted. A total of 6 controls and 5 IUGR pups underwent T2-w MRI and localized proton MRS within the first 8 hours of life, at 7T. Changes in brain tissue volumes and respective contributions to each MRS voxel were estimated by semi-automated registration of MRI images with a digital atlas of the rabbit brain. MRS data were used for: (i) absolute metabolite quantifications, using linear fitting; (ii) local temperature estimations, based on the water chemical shift; and (iii) classification, using spectral pattern analysis.Lower birth weight was associated with (i) smaller brain sizes, (ii) slightly lower brain temperatures, and (iii) differential metabolite profile changes in specific regions of the brain parenchyma. Specifically, we found estimated lower levels of aspartate and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (suggesting neuronal impairment), and higher glycine levels in the striatum (possible marker of brain injury). Our results also suggest that the metabolic changes in cortical regions are more prevalent than those detected in hippocampus and striatum.IUGR was associated with brain metabolic changes in vivo, which correlate well with the neurostructural changes and neurodevelopment problems described in IUGR. Metabolic parameters could constitute non invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and abnormal neurodevelopment of perinatal origin.

SUBMITTER: Simoes RV

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4514800 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

In Vivo Detection of Perinatal Brain Metabolite Changes in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

Simões Rui V RV Muñoz-Moreno Emma E Carbajo Rodrigo J RJ González-Tendero Anna A Illa Miriam M Sanz-Cortés Magdalena M Pineda-Lucena Antonio A Gratacós Eduard E

PloS one 20150724 7

<h4>Background</h4>Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for abnormal neurodevelopment. We studied a rabbit model of IUGR by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS), to assess in vivo brain structural and metabolic consequences, and identify potential metabolic biomarkers for clinical translation.<h4>Methods</h4>IUGR was induced in 3 pregnant rabbits at gestational day 25, by 40-50% uteroplacental vessel ligation in one horn; the contralateral horn was used as c ...[more]

PMID: 26208165

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects 5-10% of all newborns and is associated with a high risk of abnormal neurodevelopment. The timing and patterns of brain reorganization underlying IUGR are poorly documented. We developed a rabbit model of IUGR allowing neonatal neurobehavioral assessment and high resolution brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of the study was to describe the pattern and functional correlates of fetal brain reorganization induced by IUGR.Methodology/principal findingsIUGR was induced in 10 New Zealand fetal rabbits by ligation of 40-50% of uteroplacental vessels in one horn at 25 days of gestation. Ten contralateral horn fetuses were used as controls. Cesarean section was performed at 30 days (term 31 days). At postnatal day +1, neonates were assessed by validated neurobehavioral tests including evaluation of tone, spontaneous locomotion, reflex motor activity, motor responses to olfactory stimuli, and coordination of suck and swallow. Subsequently, brains were collected and fixed and MRI was performed using a high resolution acquisition scheme. Global and regional (manual delineation and voxel based analysis) diffusion tensor imaging parameters were analyzed. IUGR was associated with significantly poorer neurobehavioral performance in most domains. Voxel based analysis revealed fractional anisotropy (FA) differences in multiple brain regions of gray and white matter, including frontal, insular, occipital and temporal cortex, hippocampus, putamen, thalamus, claustrum, medial septal nucleus, anterior commissure, internal capsule, fimbria of hippocampus, medial lemniscus and olfactory tract. Regional FA changes were correlated with poorer outcome in neurobehavioral tests.ConclusionsIUGR is associated with a complex pattern of brain reorganization already at birth, which may open opportunities for early intervention. Diffusion MRI can offer suitable imaging biomarkers to characterize and monitor brain reorganization due to fetal diseases.

Project description:Aside from the perinatal complications associated with low birth weight, individuals born with intra-uterine growth restriction suffer from chronic diseases late in life that ultimately lead to a shortened lifespan. These late life metabolic sequelae of low birth weight include obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis. Animal models employing perinatal calorie restriction recapitulate the observations made in humans. Interestingly, if continued calorie restriction is employed post-natally the late life sequelae of intra-uterine growth restriction are ameliorated. These observations linking both fetal and early post natal growth to later health is now termed the developmental origins of health and disease. To further our understanding of the mechanism of how early growth affects late life health we have employed Affymetrix microarray-based expression profiling to characterize hepatic gene expression in a rat model of maternal semi-nutrient restriction. In these experiments we have limited maternal calorie intake to 50% of normal so as to create 3 groups of animals: Control (Con) male offspring born to mothers who were fed normally throughout gestation and lactation; intra-uterine calorie restricted male offspring (IUCR) born to mothers who had 50% restriction of calories from e11 to e21; and combined intra-uterine and post-natal calorie restriction (IPCR) male offspring who were born to mothers who received calorie restriction during both fetal growth (e11 to e21) and post-natally (p1-p21). Livers were collected at p21(day 21 of life) for Con and IPCR groups (IUCR withheld owing to ‘catch up” growth), and at p450 (day 450 of life) for Con, IUCR, and IPCR. The profiling data reveals clear alteration of circadian cycling at P21, and subtle changes for circadian gene expression at p450. In addition, a clear transcriptional response is found during active calorie restriction at p21 but an absence of a transcriptional response late in life at p450.

Dataset Information

In Vivo Detection of Perinatal Brain Metabolite Changes in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

Publications

In Vivo Detection of Perinatal Brain Metabolite Changes in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets