Accelerated Postnatal Growth Increases Lipogenic Gene Expression and Adipocyte Size in Low-Birth Weight Mice

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the hormonal milieu and adipose gene expression in response to catch-up growth (CUG), a growth pattern associated with obesity and diabetes risk, in a mouse model of low birth weight (LBW). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: ICR mice were food restricted by 50% from gestational days 12.5-18.5, reducing offspring birth weight by 25%. During the suckling period, dams were either fed ad libitum, permitting CUG in offspring, or food restricted, preventing CUG. Offspring were killed at age 3 weeks, and gonadal fat was removed for RNA extraction, array analysis, RT-PCR, and evaluation of cell size and number. Serum insulin, thyroxine (T4), corticosterone, and adipokines were measured.

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Isganaitis E, Jimenez-Chillaron J, Woo M, Chow A, DeCoste J, Vokes M, Liu M, Kasif S, Zavacki AM, Leshan RL, Myers MG, Patti ME