Background
Metabolic imprinting refers to the effects of diet during pregnancy and infant feeding on the development of chronic diseases in later life. Increasing evidence suggests that maternal and infant nutrition influence (‘imprint’/’programme’) the development of endocrine dysfunctions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cancer, mental functions, food allergy and intolerance.
Objective
This Task Force aims to provide insight into the effects of diet and its components on the different phases (critical windows) of metabolic imprinting/programming. In particular with respect to metabolic and immunological disorders, including both disease and health endpoints.
Activities
Study on Definition and Mechanisms of Metabolic Imprinting, Programming and Epigenetics
In order to contribute to the science in these related (and overlapping) areas, it is important to define what each term means, how they are interrelated and if there is a logical and intellectual progression from one to the others.
Activities to date include a roundtable workshop with selected experts. Held in June 2007 in Florence, Italy, participants discussed the definitions of metabolic imprinting and metabolic programming, which tend to be used interchangeably. “Epigenetic” appears, however, to be more rigidly defined in terms of specific mechanistic consequences linked to defined clinical outcomes.
Also discussed was the use of predictive biomarkers and, in particular, where and which animal models can be used to help develop mechanistic hypotheses that can subsequently be tested in humans. Additionally, biomarkers that are currently used for adults are not (always) appropriate for infants in predicting disorders later in life. Moreover, many of the clinical investigations that can be used in adults cannot be used in infants for ethical or practical reasons.
The final paper will be submitted in Spring 2008 to the British Journal of Nutrition.
Next Steps
This coming year will see extensive dissemination of this work widely across the scientific disciplines, capitalising on the strong links the task force has with other leading researchers in this field, including the EC funded EARNEST project.
The task force will also be developing broader direct communication strategies with healthcare professionals. We will maintain and extend our presence at international events, through poster presentations, sponsoring speakers and freely available resources.
New Activity Proposals
It is anticipated that with this strong foundation in place further activities can be explored. A vital piece of work is to identify the critical windows of development, within which imprinting and/or programming take place.
Questions arise:
§ Is there potential for nutritional intervention?
§ Is there a role for personalised nutrition products?
§ Is there scope to provide policy recommendations for certain sub-groups of the population on optimum nutrition?
§ Are there transgenerational effects?
Specifically, two strategies will be explored in the coming year:
- to drill down on one example of a health benefit and/or mechanism of action on a particular health outcome. For instance, cardiovascular disease would be a key outcome due to the high health costs to society and the strength of available evidence. The proposed outcome would map the landscape, providing a foundation on which to prioritise future research and develop nutritional recommendations.
- to build on raising awareness of the growing significance of this field. To promote the ILSI Europe Metabolic Imprinting task force as ‘leaders’ in this area.
Ultimately, it is the aim to bring more understanding to this field and to use this knowledge to develop practical applications to improve health. This is an ideal time to join this task force and contribute to steering the direction of new work, whilst having plenty of opportunity to bring new proposals to the table.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force and expert groups:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Catherine Macé, Nestlé (CH)
Dr. Eline van der Beek, Royal Numico (NL)
Dr. Ric Van Tol, Mead Johnson Nutritionals (NL)
Mrs. Wendeline Wouters, Campina (NL)
Experts from public institutes
Dr. Mary Fewtrell, Institute of Child Health London (UK)
Prof. Alain Grynberg INRA (FR)
Prof. Berthold Koletzko, University of Munich (DE)
Prof. Michael Symonds, University of Nottingham (UK)
Prof. Robert Vlietinck, University of Leuven (BE)
To download the poster of the task force, click here.
For more information contact info@ilsieurope.be