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Cited by 20Birth, Development, and HealthEpigenetics and DNA MethylationGestational Diabetes Research and Management

Maternal Metabolic Health, Lifestyle, and Environment—Understanding How Epigenetics Drives Future Offspring Health

Schwartz, Stanley S., Amrom, Dalia·2023·Current Diabetes Reviews
DOI 10.2174/1573399818666220422085016
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Abstract

The incidence of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type two diabetes (T2DM), continues to increase worldwide, and their onset is often attributed to adherence to a western diet and a sedentary lifestyle. However, large variability exists in one's likelihood of developing metabolic dysregulation, illustrating that our understanding of heritability patterns remains poorly understood. Diabetes and obesity are multifactorial diseases, and their onset is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies report a number of alterations in the coding sequence associated with the onset of T2DM and obesity. However, these genes explain only a fraction of the cases, leaving the majority unaccounted for. The missing heritability question implies that other factors are responsible for the onset and development of the disease. Given that the developing fetus is susceptible to the maternal environment, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that maternal metabolic characteristics as well as disruptions to the prenatal environment may induce long-term genetic, phenotypic, and physiologic adaptations in the developing fetus, which could have a permanent effect on its future health. This phenomenon is known as developmental programming and is mediated through epigenetic modifications, which include modulation of gene expressions that do not alter the original deoxyribonucleic (DNA) sequence. Epigenetic modifications are capable of changing gene expression in metabolism-related genes and are accomplished through DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and ribonucleic acid (RNA) mechanisms. In this review, we discuss maternal metabolic factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and gestational diabetes (GDM) that lead to epigenetic changes in the offspring and predispose future generations to metabolic abnormalities. We will also describe the association between maternal lifestyle factors and exposure to toxins with epigenetic modulations in the offspring. Lastly, we will provide a brief review of the possibility of using epigenetics as potential interventions and therapeutic modalities to help in early diagnosis and prevention of metabolic disorders.

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Crossref · 10.2174/1573399818666220422085016

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  • Maternal metabolic conditions may leave a persistent molecular signature on offspring, influencing both metabolic trajectories and biological aging.

    “These findings reinforce the concept that maternal metabolic conditions may leave a persistent molecular signature on offspring, influencing both metabolic trajectories and biological aging [167,168].”

    From Maternal Overnutrition and Fetal Programming: Long-Term Metabolic, Cognitive, and Epigenetic Consequences (2026) · cites this paper as [167]

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Authors
Schwartz, S. S., & Amrom, D.
Affiliations
  • Main Line Health (US)
  • Lankenau Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Schwartz, Stanley S.
ORCID
Venue
Current Diabetes Reviews
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Published
2023-02
Volume
19
Issue
2
Pages
e220422203919-e220422203919
ISSN
1573-3998 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2174/1573399818666220422085016
OpenAlex
W4224797224
Cited by
20
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1
FWCI
1.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Current Diabetes Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
Keywords
maternal metabolic health, epigenetics, developmental programming, type 2 diabetes, obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, intrauterine environment, DNA methylation, histone acetylation, maternal lifestyle, environmental toxins, missing heritability, offspring health, epigenetic interventions
MeSH terms
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Humans, Life Style, Obesity, Pregnancy, Diabetes, Gestational, Epigenesis, Genetic, Genome-Wide Association Study

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