Effects of Maternal Low Protein Diet on Expression of Drug Transporters in the Blood-Brain Barrier of Adult Offspring

Adverse uterine environment, manifested as low birth weight (LBW), has been shown to predispose individuals to hypertension, diabetes, and obesity by mechanisms that are just beginning to be understood. One of the mechanisms is the dysregulation of the expression or function of drug transport proteins, such as the organic anion transporter (OAT) family, which are crucial for the transport of various endogenous and exogenous compounds into and out of all organs, especially the brain. Hence, we examined the status of select drug transporters in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), using a LBW rat model. Maternal low protein diet (LPD) during gestation and lactation is a widely used animal model to induce LBW. Indoxyl sulfate, a substrate for Oat3, is found in lower concentrations in the brain tissue of LBW rats and higher concentrations in the serum, as analyzed by HPLC. In support of these data, an increase in the protein expression of Oat3, an efflux transporter, was observed in the LBW group. On the contrary, the BBB mRNA expression of Oat3, and other drug transporters Oatp1c1, Oatp1a4, and P-gp in LBW rats was found to be decreased compared to normal birth weight rats. Most notably, we found an almost 100-fold decrease in the expression of Oat3 in low birth weight male rats. In summary, large scale differences in the expression and function of drug transporters in the brains of LBW individuals could not only affect the action of exogenous pharmaceutical agents, but also the ability of the brain to maintain homeostasis by balancing the concentrations of endogenous compounds

The Costs of Low Birth Weight

Birth weight has emerged as the leading indicator of infant health and welfare and the central focus of infant health policy. This is because low birth weight (LBW) infants experience severe health and developmental difficulties that can impose enormous costs on society. But would the prevention of LBW generate equally sizable cost savings and health improvements? Estimates of the return to LBW-prevention from cross-sectional associations may be biased by omitted variables that cannot be influenced by policy, such as genetic factors. To address this, we compare the hospital costs, health at birth, and infant mortality rates between heavier and lighter infants from all twin pairs born in the United States. We also examine the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy the leading risk factor for LBW in the United States on health among singleton births after controlling for detailed background characteristics. Both analyses imply substantially smaller effects of LBW than previously thought, suggesting two possibilities: 1) existing estimates overstate the true costs and consequences of LBW by at least a factor of four and by as much as a factor of 20; or 2) different LBW-preventing interventions have different health and cost consequences, implying that policy efforts that presume a single return to reducing LBW will necessarily be suboptimal.

Risk of low birth weight near EUROHAZCON hazardous waste landfill sites in England.

Few studies have investigated the occurrence of both low birth weight (LBW) and congenital anomalies in populations living near hazardous waste landfill sites. The authors investigated the risk of LBW near 10 English hazardous waste landfill sites included in a previous European study, which reported an increased risk of congenital anomalies. Odds ratios, adjusted for sex, deprivation, year of birth, and study area (pooled ORs), were estimated for LBW (< 2500 gm) within 0-3 km compared with 3-7 km zones around the landfill sites. The authors found a small and not statistically significant increase in risk of LBW (OR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.98-1.08) within 3 km of hazardous waste landfill sites. Their findings suggest that previously reported results for congenital anomalies should not be extrapolated to a wider range of pregnancy outcomes but should be evaluated separately for each

The Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care Method Toward Weight Gain and Length of Stay Among Low Birth Weight Baby

Infant mortality needs to get serious attention. Special efforts are relatively easy and inexpensive in the handling and care is through treatment methods can improve the stability ofKangaroo Mother Care(KMC) for babies and breastfeeding.The effort hopefully will contribute to weight gain which take effect on the duration of treatment. The study design was Quasi Experiment with Prepost one group design. Samples were mothers with a history of low birth weight deliveries, with sample selection technique in consecutive sampling and sample number 36 babies. The samples criteria were infants birth weight between 1,000-2,100 gr, weight of infant when KMC was started between 900-2,100 gr, weight of infants post KMC were 1,300-2,500 gr, babies born with premature or small period of pregnancy. KMC method has the potential to improve the Weight on Low Birth Weight (LBW).Duration of KMC has no effect on weight gain but can accelerate the length of LBW in hospital. The longer do KMC, the shorter duration of hospital LBW in hospital. LBW should be treated KMC to accelerate weight gain and reducing the length of hospitalization

Ambient Air Toxic Releases and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Previous studies have shown that women exposed to certain air pollutants are at an increased risk for preterm delivery and/or delivering a low birth weight newborn. Preterm delivery and low birth weight are associated with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. In an effort to better understand the impact of local environmental factors on pregnancy health, duration and outcomes, this study investigated the relationship of hazardous air pollutant chemicals released by local industries and the adverse pregnancy outcomes of preterm delivery and term low birth weight in Allegheny County, PA.This study included 2,798 singleton birth records for deliveries that occurred in Allegheny County in January through March of 2004. The Toxic Release Inventory provided data for 2003 fugitive and stack air releases of all facilities in Allegheny County reporting air releases of lead and toluene. This data was used for determining proxy maternal exposure measurements. ArcGIS software was used to calculate the distance from each maternal residence to each TRI facility. The distances and reported total pounds of release from each facility were then used to calculate a total lead and toluene exposure value for every birth record. Binary logistic regression was used to assess maternal characteristics' effects on birth outcomes. Chi square tests were used to assess maternal characteristics and levels of exposure to lead and toluene. Chi square tests and binary logistic regression were then used to assess pregnancy outcomes in relation to quartiles of exposure.This study found that mothers with certain age, race, education, and marital characteristics were significantly associated with lower exposure levels of lead and toluene. However, exposure to higher levels of lead or toluene, as measured in this study, was not significantly associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery or term low birth weight.Adverse pregnancy outcomes negatively impact an individual's immediate and lifelong health. Decreasing the incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight are of great importance to public health. Research that helps to identify environmental determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes is of vital public health significance

The Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey III: Observations Toward the Galaxy Pair NGC 7332/7339 and the Isolated Galaxy NGC 1156

Two 5 square degree regions around the NGC 7332/9 galaxy pair and the isolated galaxy NGC 1156 have been mapped in the 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen (HI) with the Arecibo L-band Feed Array out to a redshift of ~0.065$(~20,000$ km/s) as part of the Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey. One of the aims of this survey is to investigate the environment of galaxies by identifying dwarf companions and interaction remnants; both of these areas provide the potential for such discoveries. The neutral hydrogen observations were complemented by optical and radio follow-up observations with a number of telescopes. A total of 87 galaxies were found, of which 39 (45 per cent) were previously cataloged and 15 (17 per cent) have prior redshifts. Two dwarf galaxies have been discovered in the NGC 7332 group and a single dwarf galaxy in the vicinity NGC 1156 . A parallel optical search of the area revealed one further possible dwarf galaxy near NGC 7332.Comment: 18 pages, 17 figures, uses emulateap

KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief: Preventing Low Birthweight

Outlines trends in low birthweight and preterm births and offers prevention strategies such as expanding access to comprehensive health care, ensuring good nutrition for pregnant women, and addressing demographic, social, and environmental risk factors