Does the thrifty phenotype result from chronic glutamate intoxication? A hypothesis
-
M. Hermanussen
Abstract
The thrifty phenotype hypothesis proposes that the epidemiological associations between poor fetal and infant growth and the subsequent development of the metabolic syndrome, result from the effects of poor nutrition in early life. The present review however, considers an opposite explanation. We hypothesize that fetal over-nutrition plays a major role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. We found evidence that the thrifty phenotype may be the consequence of fetal hyperglutamatemia.
Maternal glutamate (GLU) reaches the fetal circulation, as part of the materno-fetal glutamine-glutamate exchange. Glutamine is absorbed from the maternal circulation, and deaminated for nitrogen utilization, resulting in a fetal production of GLU. GLU is extracted as it returns to the placenta. When the umbilical plasma flow is low, GLU may be trapped in the fetal circulation, and reaches neurotoxic levels. Administering GLU to newborn rodents completely destructs arcuate nucleus neurons, and results in permanently elevated plasma leptin levels that fail to adequately counter-regulate food intake.
Chronic fetal exposure to elevated levels of GLU may be caused by chronic maternal over-nutrition or by reduced umbilical plasma flow. We strongly suggest abandoning the flavoring agent monosodium glutamate and reconsidering the recommended daily allowances of protein and amino acids during pregnancy.
Copyright © 2003 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Articles in the same Issue
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- MRI during pregnancy
- Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in the assessment of the fetal central nervous system
- Maternal erythrocyte malondialdehyde level in preeclampsia prediction: a longitudinal study
- Effect of fetal macrosomia on human placental glucose transport and utilization in insulin-treated gestational diabetes
- Association between maternal-fetal Doppler velocimetry and fetal lung maturity
- Does the thrifty phenotype result from chronic glutamate intoxication? A hypothesis
- Fetal hand movements and facial expression in normal pregnancy studied by four-dimensional sonography
- Stable microbubble test and click test to predict respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants not requiring ventilation at birth
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in two very low birth weight infants
- Umbilical glutathione levels are higher after vaginal birth than after cesarean section
- Gastrointestinal contrast studies in high-risk neonates with suspected necrotising enterocolitis – a note of caution
- Fatal intracranial hemorrhage in a pregnant patient with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura
- Pregnancy complicated with pure red cell aplasia: a case report
- Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII as a cause of recurrent non-immune hydrops fetalis
- Higher risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn after cesarean
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Author Index
- Subject Index
- Contents
- MRI during pregnancy
- Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in the assessment of the fetal central nervous system
- Maternal erythrocyte malondialdehyde level in preeclampsia prediction: a longitudinal study
- Effect of fetal macrosomia on human placental glucose transport and utilization in insulin-treated gestational diabetes
- Association between maternal-fetal Doppler velocimetry and fetal lung maturity
- Does the thrifty phenotype result from chronic glutamate intoxication? A hypothesis
- Fetal hand movements and facial expression in normal pregnancy studied by four-dimensional sonography
- Stable microbubble test and click test to predict respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants not requiring ventilation at birth
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in two very low birth weight infants
- Umbilical glutathione levels are higher after vaginal birth than after cesarean section
- Gastrointestinal contrast studies in high-risk neonates with suspected necrotising enterocolitis – a note of caution
- Fatal intracranial hemorrhage in a pregnant patient with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura
- Pregnancy complicated with pure red cell aplasia: a case report
- Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII as a cause of recurrent non-immune hydrops fetalis
- Higher risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn after cesarean
- Congress Calendar
