Relationship between branched-chain amino acids and mother-offspring overweight/obesity transmission

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0937

Abstract

Abstract: The escalating prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity may stem from the intergenerational transmission of maternal overweight and obesity.Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential amino acids involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.While BCAAs are closely associated with the risk of overweight and obesity, their role in mother-offspring intergenerational transmission remains unclear. Studies indicate that obese pregnant women exhibit elevated BCAA levels, which can be transferred to the fetus via placental transport.This process activates the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), upregulating the expression of amino acid transporters and further facilitating fetal BCAAs uptake.Excessive BCAAs may disrupt glucose and lipid metabolism by promoting lipogenesis and impairing insulin signaling, thereby increasing offspring obesity risk.Given the critical role of BCAAs in the intergenerational transmission of obesity, this review synthesizes current evidence and mechanistic insights into the relationship between BCAAs and mother-offspring overweight/obesity transmission, in order to explore their potential as an intervention target and provide a scientific foundation for childhood obesity prevention strategies.

Key words: branched-chain amino acids, overweight, obesity, mother and infant, intergenerational transmission

摘要： 儿童超重肥胖问题日趋严峻,可能来源于母亲超重肥胖的代际传递。支链氨基酸(BCAAs)包括亮氨酸、异亮氨酸和缬氨酸,是人体必需氨基酸,参与能量代谢和蛋白质合成,且与超重肥胖风险密切相关,但其在母子代际传递中的作用尚待探讨。研究表明,肥胖孕妇体内的BCAAs水平升高,并可通过胎盘转运至胎儿,激活哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白复合物1(mTORC1),上调氨基酸转运蛋白的表达,促使更多BCAAs向胎儿转移。过高的BCAAs可通过促进脂肪合成及干扰胰岛素信号等途径,导致糖脂代谢异常,增加子代肥胖风险。鉴于BCAAs在母子间肥胖代际传递中扮演的关键角色,本文综述了BCAAs与母子间超重肥胖代际传递的现有证据及机制,旨在探讨其作为干预靶点的可能性,并为儿童肥胖预防策略提供科学依据。

关键词: 支链氨基酸, 超重, 肥胖, 母婴, 代际传递

CLC Number:

R179

FANG Chunli, ZHANG Zhihong, LIU Mengjiao. Relationship between branched-chain amino acids and mother-offspring overweight/obesity transmission[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care, 2025, 33(9): 992-996.

方春丽, 章志红, 刘梦娇. 支链氨基酸与母子间超重肥胖代际传递的关系[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2025, 33(9): 992-996.

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