Tohoku University Study Links Low Birthweight in Mice to Kidney Disorders and Hypertension

Tohoku University researchers developed a method to create low birthweight mice that later develop kidney disorders and hypertension. This study was published in the U.S. journal iScience on October 11.

The researchers found that when these low birthweight mice became pregnant, they had deficits in the liver and placenta functions that typically support fetal growth. However, administering a special drug with vasodilating effects to the pregnant mice increased the weight of their offspring and reduced the risk of hypertension later in life.

What are the long-term health effects of low birthweight on offspring?

Interview with Emiko Sato: Exploring the Impact of Low Birthweight on Future Generations

Published on October 14, 2023

News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Sato. Your team’s recent study published in iScience sheds light on a significant health issue. Can you explain the implications of your research on low birthweight mice and the observed kidney disorders and hypertension?

Emiko Sato: Thank you for having me. Our research highlights a concerning trend: low birthweight not only affects the immediate health of these mice but may also predispose them to serious health issues later in life, such as kidney disorders and hypertension. We found that when low birthweight mice become pregnant, they exhibit deficits in liver and placenta functions that are essential for fetal growth. This suggests that the challenges they face can perpetuate a cycle of health problems that may impact their offspring.

News Directory 3: That’s intriguing. What specific methods did your team employ to alter the outcomes for these low birthweight mice?

Emiko Sato: We administered a special drug with vasodilating effects to the pregnant low birthweight mice. This treatment significantly increased the weight of their offspring and notably reduced the risk of hypertension as they matured. Our findings point to the potential of using pharmacological interventions to improve not only maternal health during pregnancy but also the long-term health perspectives for the next generation.

News Directory 3: In Japan, the prevalence of low birthweight neonates is approximately 10%. What do you think are the primary contributors to this rising trend, and how might your research address these factors?

Emiko Sato: The increasing number of women having children later in life is indeed a significant factor contributing to rising low birthweight rates. Older mothers can face heightened risks of pregnancy complications, resulting in underweight births. Our research aims to explore interventions that could mitigate these risks and support healthier pregnancies. Ultimately, we hope our findings will catalyze the development of treatments that can disrupt this negative health cycle for future generations.

News Directory 3: Your findings hold promise for many families. What are the next steps for your research team following this study?

Emiko Sato: We plan to delve deeper into understanding the mechanisms behind the liver and placenta dysfunction in low birthweight pregnancies. Additionally, we aim to conduct further studies to evaluate the long-term impacts of our interventions on both the mothers and their offspring. Our goal is to pave the way for effective treatments that can enhance maternal and fetal health, ultimately reducing the incidence of low birthweight and its associated complications.

News Directory 3: Thank you, Dr. Sato, for sharing these valuable insights into your important research. We look forward to following your future work.

Emiko Sato: Thank you for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this critical issue.

In Japan, about 10 percent of babies are born with low birthweight. This number has been rising as more women have children later. Emiko Sato, the leading associate professor of clinical pharmacy on the study, stated that being born underweight might affect future generations. She expressed hope that this research will lead to treatments that can break this negative cycle.