The kynurenine pathway metabolites in cord blood positively correlate with early childhood adiposity

The kynurenine pathway metabolites in cord blood positively correlate with early childhood adiposity

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

10.1210/clinem/dgac078

http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac078

Karen Mei-Ling Tan, Mya-Thway Tint, Narasimhan Kothandaraman, Navin Michael, Suresh Anand Sadananthan, S Sendhil Velan, Marielle V Fortier, Fabian Yap, Kok Hian Tan, Peter D Gluckman, Yap-Seng Chong, Mary F F Chong, Yung Seng Lee, Keith M Godfrey, Johan G Eriksson, David Cameron-Smith

Biochemistry, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Clinical Biochemistry, Biochemistry (medical)

12 February 2022

Tan, K. M.-L., Tint, M.-T., Kothandaraman, N., Michael, N., Sadananthan, S. A., Velan, S. S., Fortier, M. V., Yap, F., Tan, K. H., Gluckman, P. D., Chong, Y.-S., Chong, M. F. F., Lee, Y. S., Godfrey, K. M., Eriksson, J. G., & Cameron-Smith, D. (2022). The kynurenine pathway metabolites in cord blood positively correlate with early childhood adiposity. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac078

Abstract Background The kynurenine pathway generates metabolites integral to energy metabolism, neurotransmission, and immune function. Circulating kynurenine metabolites positively correlate with adiposity in children and adults, yet it is not known whether this relationship is present already at birth. In this prospective longitudinal study, we investigate the relationship between cord blood kynurenine metabolites and measures of adiposity from birth to 4.5 years. Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify cord blood kynurenine metabolites in 812 neonates from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study. Fat percentage was measured by air displacement plyethysmography and abdominal adipose tissue compartment volumes; superficial (sSAT) and deep subcutaneous (dSAT) and internal adipose tissue were quantified by magnetic resonance imaging at early infancy in a smaller subset of neonates, and again at 4 - 4.5 years of age. Results Cord blood kynurenine metabolites appeared to be higher in female newborns, higher in Indian newborns compared to Chinese newborns, and higher in infants born by Caesarean section compared to by vaginal delivery. Kynurenine,xanthurenic acid and quinolinic acid were positively associated with birthweight, but not with subsequent weight during infancy and childhood. Quinolinic acid was positively associated with sSAT at birth. Kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid were positively associated with fat percentage at 4 years. Conclusion Several cord blood kynurenine metabolite concentrations were positively associated with birthweight, with higher kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid correlating to higher percentage body fat in childhood, suggesting these cord blood metabolites as biomarkers of early childhood adiposity.

Publisher Copyright

This research / project is supported by the A*STAR - Industry Alignment Fund – Pre-positioning Programme
Grant Reference no. : H17/01/a0/005

This research / project is supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) - Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Programme
Grant Reference no. : NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008

This research / project is supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) - Translational and Clinical Research (TCR) Flagship Programme
Grant Reference no. : NMRC/TCR/012-NUHS/2014

https://oar.a-star.edu.sg/communities-collections/articles/18200

1945-7197
0021-972X

Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences