Sex differences in the endocrine system in response to protein intake early in life
Ricardo Closa-Monasterolo, Natàlia Ferré, Verónica Luque, Marta Zaragoza-Jordana, Veit Grote, Martina Weber, Berthold Koletzko, Piotr Socha, Dariusz Gruszfeld, Roman Janas, Annick Xhonneux, Elena Dain, Silvia Scaglioni, Joaquin Escribano, Childhood Obesity Project Study Group, Jeannette Beyer, Hans Demmelmair, Michaela Fritsch, Gudrun Haile, Uschi Handel, Iris Hannibal, Susanne Kreichauf, Ingrid Pawellek, Sonia Schiess, Sabine Verwied-Jorky, Rüdiger von Kries, Anna Dobrzańska, Agnieszka Kowalik, Ewa Pietraszek, Anna Stolarczyk, Jerzy Socha, Clotilde Carlier, Philippe Goyens, Joana Hoyos, Pascale Poncelet, Jean-Paul Langhendries, Françoise Martin, Carlo Agostoni, Marcello Giovannini, Silvia Scaglioni, Sabrina Tedeschi, Fiammetta Vecchi, Ricardo Closa-Monasterolo, Natàlia Ferré, Verónica Luque, Marta Zaragoza-Jordana, Veit Grote, Martina Weber, Berthold Koletzko, Piotr Socha, Dariusz Gruszfeld, Roman Janas, Annick Xhonneux, Elena Dain, Silvia Scaglioni, Joaquin Escribano, Childhood Obesity Project Study Group, Jeannette Beyer, Hans Demmelmair, Michaela Fritsch, Gudrun Haile, Uschi Handel, Iris Hannibal, Susanne Kreichauf, Ingrid Pawellek, Sonia Schiess, Sabine Verwied-Jorky, Rüdiger von Kries, Anna Dobrzańska, Agnieszka Kowalik, Ewa Pietraszek, Anna Stolarczyk, Jerzy Socha, Clotilde Carlier, Philippe Goyens, Joana Hoyos, Pascale Poncelet, Jean-Paul Langhendries, Françoise Martin, Carlo Agostoni, Marcello Giovannini, Silvia Scaglioni, Sabrina Tedeschi, Fiammetta Vecchi
Abstract
Background: Nutritional factors during a sensitive period can influence child development in a sex-related manner.
Objective: Our aim was to investigate whether sex modulates the responses of relevant biochemical parameters and growth to different protein intakes early in life.
Design: In a randomized controlled trial, formula-fed infants were assigned to receive formula with higher protein (HP) or lower protein (LP) content. The main outcome measures were insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis parameters, weight, length, BMI, leptin, and C-peptide/creatinine ratio at 6 mo of age. Dietary intake during the first 6 mo of life was also assessed.
Results: The IGF-1 axis response to HP feeding was modulated by sex. Total and free IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 concentrations were higher in girls than in boys. Compared with the LP diet, the HP diet was associated with higher IGF-1 and lower IGF binding protein 2 secretion. The response to this HP content formula tended to be stronger in girls than in boys. The HP diet was associated with a higher C-peptide/creatinine ratio. The leptin concentration was higher in girls than in boys and was correlated to the IGF-1 axis parameters. No interaction between sex and nutritional intervention was shown on growth.
Conclusions: Our findings show that the endocrine response to a high protein diet early in life may be modulated by sex. The IGF-1 axis of female infants shows a stronger response to the nutritional intervention than does that of male infants, but there is no enhanced effect on growth. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00338689.
Source: PubMed