Metabolic imprinting
Metabolic Imprinting
Metabolic imprinting (pronunciation: meh-tuh-bol-ik im-print-ing) is a biological phenomenon that refers to the process where early nutritional experiences can set the stage for long-term metabolic characteristics in an organism.
Etymology
The term 'metabolic imprinting' is derived from the words 'metabolic', which comes from the Greek word 'metabole' meaning change, and 'imprinting', which is an English word that refers to the process of creating a mark or pattern.
Definition
Metabolic imprinting is a concept in DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease) that suggests early life nutrition can have long-lasting effects on an individual's metabolic health. This can include predispositions to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Mechanism
The mechanism of metabolic imprinting involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors during critical periods of development. This can lead to permanent changes in the structure and function of certain tissues or organ systems, influencing the individual's metabolic health later in life.
Related Terms
- Epigenetics: The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
- Nutritional Programming: The concept that differences in nutrient supply at critical periods in early life can permanently change an individual's physiology and metabolism.
- Phenotypic Plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its phenotype in response to changes in the environment.
See Also
- Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
- Epigenetics
- Nutritional Programming
- Phenotypic Plasticity
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Metabolic imprinting
- Wikipedia's article - Metabolic imprinting
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