Gestational low-protein diet impairs mitochondrial function and skeletal muscle development by inducing immune responses in male offspring.

Altinpinar, Atilla Emre, Alameddine, Moussira, Ersoy, Ufuk, Kanakis, Ioannis ORCID: 0000-0001-6410-1482, Pekovic-Vaughan, Vanja, Ozanne, Susan E, Goljanek-Whysall, Katarzyna ORCID: 0000-0001-8166-8800 and Vasilaki, Aphrodite ORCID: 0000-0002-5652-0895 (2025) Gestational low-protein diet impairs mitochondrial function and skeletal muscle development by inducing immune responses in male offspring. Redox biology, 87. 103890-. ISSN 2213-2317, 2213-2317

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Abstract

Maternal nutrition is essential for proper fetal and postnatal organ maturation and is linked to the future risk of developing metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and muscle loss. There is still limited understanding how a low-protein intake during gestation influences skeletal muscle development, inflammation, and the related pathways. This study aimed to investigate the impact of gestational low-protein diet in mice on skeletal muscle development and inflammatory responses in male offspring. Pups born from mothers fed a low-protein diet (LPD) were lactated by normal protein diet (NPD)-fed mothers and maintained on NPD post-weaning (LNN group). Offspring born from mothers fed an NPD and maintained on an NPD during lactation and beyond were used as controls (NNN group). In 21-day-old offspring from protein-restricted mothers, RNA-Seq analysis showed upregulation of immune response-related genes, enriching adaptive immunity pathways. Additionally, LNN group exhibited elevated markers of inflammation, along with disruptions in antioxidant defence balance and macrophages infiltration in gastrocnemius muscle at 3 months of age. Energy metabolism was impaired, as indicated by changes in related proteins and enzymes involved in mitochondrial function. We conclude that gestational LPD adversely affects skeletal muscle development in male offspring.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Muscle, Skeletal, Mitochondria, Macrophages, Animals, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Body Weight, Diet, Protein-Restricted, Apoptosis, Pregnancy, Sex Characteristics, Autophagy, Female, Male
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences (T&R staff) Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Life Courses & Medical Sciences > Musculoskeletal & Ageing Science
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2025 11:45
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2025 23:42
DOI:	10.1016/j.redox.2025.103890
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2025.103890
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194851
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