Logo

American Heart Association

  40
  0


Final ID: Su1026

Impacts of Parental Protein Malnutrition on Cardiac and Renal Development

Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background: Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy raises the risk of various adult-onset diseases in offspring, including cardiovascular, kidney dysfunction, and hypertension. Here, we examined the morphometric effects of a low-protein diet (LPD) from preconception through birth on the development of the kidney and heart, two crucial organs involved in blood pressure regulation. Hypothesis: Parental LPD leads to oligonephropathy and impaired heart development at birth, increasing the risk for cardiorenal syndrome in adulthood. Methods: CD1 mice were fed a normal-protein diet (NPD; 20% protein) or an LPD (6% protein) for two weeks before mating and throughout gestation. Kidneys and hearts were collected from pups at postnatal day 0 (P0). Morphometric analysis and immunostaining were performed to assess the impact on organ development and glomerular density. Results: Offspring of LPD-fed parents were stunted with a reduced body weight at P0 compared to NPD controls (LPD = 1.02 ± 0.03 g, n = 8 vs. NPD = 1.43 ± 0.04 g; n = 10, p < 0.0001). Kidney weight was lower in the LPD group (LPD = 0.0074 ± 0.0005 g vs NPD = 0.0136 ± 0.0003 g; p < 0.0001). The kidney/body weight ratio was also reduced (LPD = 0.0071 ± 0.0003 vs. NPD = 0.0095 ± 0.0003; p < 0.0002). Average glomerular counts across two 5 µm non-consecutive sections were significantly diminished in LPD offspring at P0 (LPD = 44.9 ± 1.8 vs NPD 59.5 ± 2.5; p < 0.0001), reflecting impaired nephrogenesis. Average heart weight was reduced in the LPD group, but did not reach statistical significance (LPD = 0.0065 ± 0.0003 g vs NPD = 0.0076 ± 0.0004 g; p = 0.081). The heart/body weight ratio was significantly higher in LPD pups (0.0064 ± 0.0003) versus NPD (0.0052 ± 0.0002; p < 0.0052), reflecting differences in proportional cardiac growth due to lower body weight in LPD animals. Conclusion: Parental LPD causes significant reductions in offspring body weight, kidney weight, and nephron endowment at birth, as evidenced by lower glomerular counts. Although heart weight showed a trend toward reduction, the increased heart weight-to-body weight ratio in LPD pups suggests altered cardiac growth proportional to their reduced body size. These developmental changes likely increase susceptibility to hypertension and cardiorenal syndrome in adulthood. Understanding these early-life alterations underscores the importance of nutritional interventions during pregnancy in preventing long-term cardiovascular and renal disease.
  • Diniz, Fabiola  ( TULANE SCHOOL MEDICINE , New Orleans , Louisiana , United States )
  • El Dahr, Samir  ( TULANE SCHOOL MEDICINE , New Orleans , Louisiana , United States )
  • Tortelote, Giovane  ( TULANE SCHOOL MEDICINE , New Orleans , Louisiana , United States )
  • Author Disclosures:
    Fabiola Diniz: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Samir El Dahr: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships | Giovane Tortelote: DO NOT have relevant financial relationships
Meeting Info:

Scientific Sessions 2025

2025

New Orleans, Louisiana

Session Info:

From Bench to Bedside: Unraveling Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease in CKD

Sunday, 11/09/2025 , 03:15PM - 04:15PM

Abstract Poster Board Session

More abstracts on this topic:
Association of Obesity with Declines in Kidney Function in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Deng Lixia, Tighiouart Hocine, Oka Tatsufumi, Tuttle Marcelle, Downey Brian, Rowin Ethan, Sarnak Mark, Mccallum Wendy

Adherence to Dutch dietary guidelines and long-term mortality risk in post-myocardial infarction patients of the Alpha Omega Cohort

Cruijsen Esther, Van Damme Iris, Visseren Frank, Geleijnse Johanna

More abstracts from these authors:
Estrogen Loss and Sleep Restriction Disrupt Blood Pressure Rhythms and Vascular Function

Visniauskas Bruna, Blessinger Sophia, Richard Chase, Leite Ana Paula, Imulinde Sugi Ariane, Mcnally Alexandra, Tortelote Giovane, Singh Prachi, Lindsey Sarah

You have to be authorized to contact abstract author. Please, Login
Not Available