Assessment of body composition in Wistar rat offspring by DXA in relation to prenatal and postnatal nutritional manipulation.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study aims to investigate the impact of combinations of prenatal and postnatal food manipulation on body composition in rat offspring. METHODS: On day 12 of gestation, 100 timed pregnant rats were randomized into two nutritional groups: standard laboratory and 50% starved. Pups born to starved mothers were subdivided, based on birthweight (BiW), into fetal growth restricted (FGR) and non-FGR. Pups were born on day 21, cross-fostered, then left undisturbed lactating until the 26th postnatal day when they underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. RESULTS: Prenatally control-fed animals had a significantly greater body weight at 26 d postnatally than the prenatally starved groups, irrespective of their postnatal diet (P < 0.001). Postnatal control diet was associated with significantly increased abdominal and total fat in non-FGR compared to FGR rats (P < 0.001). non-FGR/CONTROL rats showed higher values of abdominal fat than prenatally starved animals that were starved postnatally irrespective of their birth weight (P < 0.001). Postnatal control diet significantly increased total bone mineral content (BMC), head BMC, head area, abdominal BMC in non-FGR compared to FGR rats (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Interaction between prenatal and postnatal nutrition affects growth, abdominal adiposity, and bone accrual in Wistar rats' offspring at 26 d of life.

Successful full-term pregnancy in a woman with Cogan's syndrome: a case report.

Cogan's syndrome (CS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that most commonly affects young adults. Major clinical features are interstitial keratitis and vestibuloauditory dysfunction. Associations between CS and systemic vasculitis as well as aortitis also exist. The present report is the first case in the literature of pregnancy associated with Cogan syndrome, which posed a therapeutic challenge. There was a relapse of the ocular symptoms only during the first trimester of pregnancy, but the pregnancy was otherwise uneventful. The relevant literature is reviewed both with regard to the relationship of CS to pregnancy and the therapeutic approach in this situation.

Metabolic profiles of adult Wistar rats in relation to prenatal and postnatal nutritional manipulation: the role of birthweight.

OBJECTIVE: This experimental study aimed to prospectively investigate the impact of combinations of prenatal and postnatal food manipulations on the metabolic profile of adult offspring. DESIGN: On day 12 of gestation, 67 timed pregnant rats were randomized into three nutritional groups, control: standard laboratory food; starved: 50% food restricted, FR; fat-fed: fat-rich diet, FF. Seven hundred and seventy-four (774) pups were born on day 21 and culled to 8 (4 males, 4 females) per litter to normalize rearing. Rats born to starved mothers were later subdivided, based on birthweight (BiW), into fetal growth restricted (FGR) and non-FGR. The pups were then weaned to the diet of their fostered mother until one year old. Thus, 12 groups were studied: 1. CONTROL/CONTROL: 14 rats, 2. CONTROL/FR: 12 rats, 3. CONTROL/FF: 15 rats, 4. FGR/CONTROL: 16 rats, 5. FGR/FR: 10 rats, 6. FGR/FF: 15 rats, 7. non- FGR/CONTROL: 10 rats, 8. non- FGR/FR: 17 rats, 9. non- FGR/FF: 10 rats, 10. FF/CONTROL: 15 rats, 11. FF/FR: 14 rats, and 12. FF/FF: 13 rats. During sacrifice, body weight (BW) and liver weight (LW) were measured (expressed in grams) and concentrations of serum glucose, triglycerides, HDL and NEFA were determined. RESULTS: Postnatal food restriction, compared to control diet significantly reduced BW (p=0.004, p=0.036, p<0.001, p=0.008) and LW (p<0.001) in all study groups. Postnatal control diet significantly increased BW in non-FGR compared to FGR rats (p=0.027). No significant differences were detected in biochemical parameters (excluding NEFA) between FGR and non-FGR, regardless of the postnatal diet. CONCLUSIONS: Interaction between prenatal and postnatal nutrition produces distinct metabolic profiles. Apart from BiW, prenatal diet had an important impact on the metabolic profile of the adult offspring, implying that intrauterine events should be considered in the estimation of the metabolic risk of an individual, independently of BiW.

Full-term pregnancies after multiple hepatobiliary operations for choledochal cyst: a case report.

Choledochal cysts are rare congenital cystic dilatations of the biliary tree. Choledochal cysts in pregnancy are a rare entity and represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The authors present a case of two full-term pregnancies in a woman who underwent multiple hepatobiliary operations for a choledochal cyst. The patient had two major problems: a type IV(a) choledochal cyst with atrophy of the left side of the liver and a congenitally dilated pancreatic duct in the head of the gland. She underwent a drainage surgical procedure using a Roux loop of jejunum and a revision surgery in which complete excision of the cyst and hepaticojejunostomy was performed. The surgical management was completed by a left lateral hepatic segmentectomy. During her first pregnancy, she experienced an episode of cholangitis, most probably due to the remaining congenitally dilated pancreatic duct. In succeeding years, the patient presented with recurrent pancreatitis and finally she underwent a Whipple operation. After that, the patient had a second pregnancy without any complications from the biliary tract system. Although choledochal cysts rarely occur in pregnancy, clinicians should be aware of this condition, as delayed or inappropriate therapy may be catastrophic for both the mother and the fetus.