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Geneva, March 13, 2024 : As obesity rates soar globally, a new study conducted by scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) sheds light on the potential long-term health consequences for offspring of obese mothers. Published in the journal JHEP Reports, the research indicates a significant increase in the risk of liver disease and liver cancer among the offspring of mothers with obesity.
The study, led by Christian Toso, a full professor at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine and director of the Division of digestive surgery at HUG, focused on understanding the impact of maternal obesity on liver health in offspring. Using an animal model, researchers found compelling evidence linking maternal obesity to a higher risk of liver disease in adult offspring.
Two groups of female mice were examined: one group fed with a high-fat, high-sugar diet simulating junk food, leading to obesity, and the other group fed a normal diet. Despite both groups of offspring being fed a normal diet and maintaining healthy weights, those born to obese mothers showed signs of liver health deterioration in adulthood.
Beat Moeckli, a junior staff surgeon and researcher in professor Toso’s team, explained, “At 40 weeks, the liver health of offspring from obese mothers began to deteriorate significantly. They exhibited higher levels of fat deposits, fibrosis, and inflammation—key risk factors for liver cancer in humans.”
Further investigations revealed that the transmission of a disrupted intestinal microbiota from obese mothers played a crucial role in the increased liver disease risk among offspring. The altered microbiota persisted throughout the offspring’s life, contributing to chronic liver disease and an 80% higher risk of liver cancer compared to the control group.
The study also highlighted the potential for microbiota normalization to mitigate liver disease risk. When mice from both groups were placed together, normalizing the microbiota led to a decrease in liver disease markers.
While these findings are promising, the researchers emphasize the need for further studies in humans to validate the results under real-life conditions. Epidemiological studies tracking mothers and their children over several decades will be crucial in confirming the link between maternal obesity, microbiota transmission, and liver disease risk in humans.
Nevertheless, the study underscores the importance of addressing maternal obesity as a public health priority. “Understanding the role of the microbiome represents a significant step towards developing new therapies,” the researchers concluded, hinting at the potential for microbiota-modifying interventions such as probiotics to mitigate the long-term health effects of maternal obesity on offspring.
As obesity rates continue to rise worldwide, initiatives aimed at preventing and managing obesity during pregnancy could play a vital role in safeguarding the health of future generations.
About the University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals: The University of Geneva (UNIGE) is a leading institution in research and education, offering a wide range of academic programs and conducting groundbreaking research across various disciplines. The Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) provide high-quality healthcare services and are committed to advancing medical research and innovation to improve patient outcomes.
