Fetal Undernutrition Programming, Sympathetic Nerve Activity, and Arterial Hypertension Development

Author(s)

Mariano, Vinicius Schiavinatto ^[1] ; Boer, Patricia Aline ^[1] ; Gontijo, Jose Antonio Rocha ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fetal Programming & Hydroelectrolyte Metab Lab, Nucleus Med & Expt Surg, Dept Internal Med, Fac Med Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY; v. 12, NOV 17 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

A wealth of evidence showed that low birth weight is associated with environmental disruption during gestation, triggering embryotic or fetal adaptations and increasing the susceptibility of progeny to non-communicable diseases, including metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and arterial hypertension. In addition, dietary disturbance during pregnancy in animal models has highlighted mechanisms that involve the genesis of arterial hypertension, particularly severe maternal low-protein intake (LP). Functional studies demonstrated that maternal low-protein intake leads to the renal decrease of sodium excretion and the dysfunction of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system signaling of LP offspring. The antinatriuretic effect is accentuated by a reduced number of nephron units and glomerulosclerosis, which are critical in establishing arterial hypertension phenotype. Also, in this way, studies have shown that the overactivity of the central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system occurs due to reduced sensory (afferent) renal nerve activity. As a result of this reciprocal and abnormal renorenal reflex, there is an enhanced tubule sodium proximal sodium reabsorption, which, at least in part, contributes directly to arterial hypertension development in some of the programmed models. A recent study has observed that significant changes in adrenal medulla secretion could be involved in the pathophysiological process of increasing blood pressure. Thus, this review aims to compile studies that link the central and peripheral sympathetic system activity mechanisms on water and salt handle and blood pressure control in the maternal protein-restricted offspring. Besides, these pathophysiological mechanisms mainly may involve the modulation of neurokinins and catecholamines pathways. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/00360-2 - Cardiac and renal effects in rats offspring subjected to protein restriction during gestation and lactation: influence of enriched environment on these effects
• Grantee: Ana Leticia Luchiari Ferrari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/12486-5 - Fetal programming: on the kidney and neural ontogenesis
• Grantee: Jose Antonio Rocha Gontijo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants