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Preconceptional Lipid‐Based Micronutrient Supplementation Reduced Circulating Branched Chain Amino Acids in Guatemalan Women Who are Overweight or Obese at 12 Weeks Gestation: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Borengasser Sarah,
Kerns Mattie,
Palacios Alexander,
Baker Peter,
Kemp Jennifer,
Morrison Seth,
Westcott Jamie,
Friedman Jacob,
Garces Ana Lucia,
Figueroa Lester,
Hambidge Michael,
Krebs Nancy
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.639.50
Subject(s) - overnutrition , medicine , overweight , micronutrient , insulin resistance , obesity , pregnancy , endocrinology , biology , pathology , genetics
Childhood obesity is a global health concern. Estimates project 60 million preschool‐aged children worldwide will be overweight or obese (OW/OB) by 2020. Recent reports suggest that low‐ and middle‐income countries are suffering from a “double burden” of undernutrition (growth stunting) and overnutrition (obesity). The developmental origins hypothesis has demonstrated that in utero exposure to maternal under‐ or overnutrition contributes to detrimental growth and metabolic outcomes in later life. Elevated branched chain amino acids (BCAAs: Valine, Leucine, and Isoleucine) are established biomarkers of insulin resistance (IR). The objective of this pilot study was to examine if circulating BCAA levels can serve as biomarkers for obesity‐associated IR and test whether a daily lipid‐based micronutrient supplement (LNS) consumed prior to and during pregnancy can improve metabolic status in Guatemalan women experiencing stunted growth and/or obesity during early pregnancy. Using an ongoing international RCT (Women First), Guatemalan women were studied who were normal weight (NW, BMI = 20.1–24.1) or OW/OB (BMI = 25.6–31.9), and divided into two arms (n = 9–10 per group): 1) those who consumed daily LNS at least 3 mos prior to conception (+LNS), or 2) no LNS (‐LNS). LNS compliance was greater than 80% and carefully monitored by on‐site personell via bi‐weekly collection of empty satchets, compliance calendars, and random audits. BCAAs were assessed by tandem mass spectroscopy and maternal serum parameters were measured using immunoassays for insulin, adiponectin, and leptin at 12 wk gestation (n = 9–10 per group). We found circulating BCAAs were elevated in OW/OB‐LNS at 12 wk compared to NW‐LNS (p = 0.001). OW/OB+LNS had reduced BCAAs compared to OW/OB‐LNS (p = 0.007), while no differences were detected between NW+LNS and NW‐LNS, suggesting LNS may improve metabolic status in OW/OB mothers and reduce detrimental fetal exposures. Similarly, circulating maternal insulin mIU/ml (r = 0.409, p = 0.013) and leptin/adiponection ratio (r = 0.440, p = 0.010) were positively associated with BMI at 12 wk gestation. These preliminary findings suggest that preconceptional LNS may impact maternal metabolic health. Support or Funding Information Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation OPPI 055867, NIH & ODS #U10 HD076474, & NIH 1K01DK109077‐01