Impact of maternal protein restriction on Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) expression in male fetal kidney development.

Background: Kidney developmental studies have demonstrated molecular pathway changes that may be related to decreased nephron numbers in the male 17 gestational days (17GD) low protein (LP) intake offspring compared to normal protein intake (NP) progeny. Here, we evaluated the HIF-1 and components of its pathway in the kidneys of 17-GD LP offspring to elucidate the molecular modulations during nephrogenesis.

Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into two groups: NP (regular protein diet-17%) or LP (Low protein diet-6%).

Gestational Low Protein Diet Modulation on miRNA Transcriptome and Its Target During Fetal and Breastfeeding Nephrogenesis.

Background: The kidney ontogenesis is the most structurally affected by gestational protein restriction, reducing 28% of their functional units. The reduced nephron number is predictive of hypertension and cardiovascular dysfunctions that are generally observed in the adult age of most fetal programming models. We demonstrate miRNAs and predict molecular pathway changes associated with reduced reciprocal interaction between metanephros cap (CM) and ureter bud (UB) and a 28% decreased nephron stem cells in the 17 gestational days (17GD) low protein (LP) intake male fetal kidney.

Gestational and Breastfeeding Low-Protein Intake on Blood Pressure, Kidney Structure, and Renal Function in Male Rat Offspring in Adulthood.

: Our previous studies demonstrated that maternal protein-restricted (low-protein, LP) 16-week-old offspring had pronounced nephron number reduction and arterial hypertension associated with an unchanged glomerular filtration rate (GFR). An enhanced gomerular area may be related to increased glomerular filtration and overflow, which accounts for glomerular filtration barrier breakdown and early glomerulosclerosis. The effect of protein restriction during gestational and breastfeeding periods is unknown.