COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING AND/OR MAINTAINING PREGNANCY
The present invention relates to compositions comprising selenium (e.g., organic selenium (e.g., selenized yeast (e.g., SEL-PLEX))) and methods of using the same (e.g., as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment). For example, the present invention provides compositions comprising selenium (e.g., organic selenium (e.g., selenized yeast (e.g., SEL-PLEX))) and methods of using the same for treating and/or preventing one or more conditions (e.g., problems) disorders, and/or diseases related to establishing and/or maintaining a pregnancy. Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, research and clinical (e.g., preventative and therapeutic) applications.
1 . A method of altering expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy in a subject comprising:
administering an effective amount of a composition comprising a dried, nonviable selenium-enriched yeast to the subject wherein the effective amount enhances the expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy in the subject compared to a control subject.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the control subject is not administered selenium.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the control subject is administered a composition comprising selenium, wherein the selenium is not present in a dried, nonviable selenium enriched yeast.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy is serum and glucocorticoid inducible-protein kinase (sgk).
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy reduces and/or eliminates the risk of perinatal morbidity and/or mortality in the subject.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy increases fetal growth in the subject.
7 . The method of claim 7 , wherein increasing fetal growth in said subject comprises increasing fetal growth rate in said subject.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy increases the duration of gestation in said subject.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy promotes the health of the uterus.
10 . The method of claim 10 , wherein promoting the health of the uterus comprises promoting connective tissue formation and/or rearrangement.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy promotes proper formation of the pubis.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy promotes the health of the embryo and/or fetus in said subject.
13 . The method of claim 13 , wherein promoting the health of the embryo and/or fetus in said subject comprises promoting limb and nervous system development.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein promoting the health of the embryo and/or fetus in said subject comprises promoting muscle growth and differentiation.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein promoting the health of the embryo and/or fetus in said subject comprises promoting neural tube development.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein enhancing expression of one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy reduces the risk of and/or incidence of an event selected from the group consisting of spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, and birthing complications.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a non-human mammal.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is selected from the group consisting of a subject from an avian species and a subject from an aquatic species.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said expression is enhanced two fold or greater in said subject compared to the control subject.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition comprising selenium is administered in such a way so as to provide between 100 and 400 μg of selenium to said subject each day.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is administered said composition for a period of no less than 6 months prior to establishing and/or attempting to establishing a pregnancy.
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said subject is administered said composition during pregnancy.
24 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said one or more genes associated with establishment of and/or maintenance of pregnancy in a subject are selected from the group consisting fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), SNF1-like kinase, platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDFGA), cyclin D1 (CCND1), activin A receptor type 1 (ACVR1), Sp3 transcription factor (SP3), homeobox A7, homeobox D12, retinoic acid receptor beta (RARB), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7, and Protein Kinase A.