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Abstract
Adipose tissue is no longer considered as inert; the literature describes the role it plays in the production of many substances, such as adiponectin, visfatin, ghrelin, S100B, apelin, TNF, IL-6 and leptin. These molecules have specific roles in humans and their potential as biomarkers useful for identifying alterations related to intrauterine growth retardation and large for gestational age neonates is emerging. Infants born in such conditions have undergone metabolic changes, such as fetal hypo- or hyperinsulinemia, which may lead to development of dysmetabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases in adulthood. In this review, these biomarkers are analyzed specifically and it is discussed how metabolomics may be an advantageous tool for detection, discrimination and prediction of metabolic alterations and diseases. Thus, a holistic approach, such as metabolomics, could help the prevention and early diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.
Adipose tissue is described in the literature for the role it plays in the production of many substances, such as adiponectin, visfatin, ghrelin, S100B, apelin, TNF, IL-6 and leptin.
The molecules modulated by adipose tissue have specific roles in the organism and their potential as biomarkers useful in identifying alterations related to intrauterine growth retardation and large for gestational age neonates is emerging.
Experimental studies show that fetal malnutrition, both excessive and insufficient, may permanently alter the metabolic processes of the fetus and increase the risk of future chronic diseases.
At present, the literature is focusing on new hypotheses concerning the biological mechanisms that lead to infantile obesity and the onset of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in adulthood.
Metabolomics, a new branch of the ‘omics’ sciences, is effective and non-invasive method for identifying a large number of metabolites and makes it possible to measure quantitatively over time the response of the organism to stimuli of a genetic and pathophysiological nature.
Considering the clinical differences between intrauterine growth retardation s and large for gestational ages, the metabolomics offers the possibility of studying neonates in their individual metabolic variants and allows the evaluation and application of treatments based on their individual needs, permitting us to implement a tailored medicine.