Maternal high-fat-diet programs rat offspring liver fatty acid metabolism

Metabolic impacts of long-chain fatty acids on cardiomyocyte maturation in neonatal mammalian hearts

Cardiomyocytes are essential models for cardiac disease modeling, drug development, and regenerative therapies. Specifically, human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have emerged as widely used cellular models with high reproducibility. However, cardiomyocytes generated in vitro tend to remain immature and insufficient in replicating the electrophysiological and mechanical functions of adult cardiomyocytes, limiting the clinical and experimental applications of these models. Thus, various biochemical and biophysical strategies have been explored to promote the maturation of cardiomyocytes, to address these limitations, and more accurately mimic the characteristics of mature cardiomyocytes. This review summarizes recent studies on multiple methodologies employed to induce cardiomyocyte maturation, with a particular emphasis on the role of long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs). The evidence summarized in this review is derived from studies utilizing cardiomyocytes from neonatal mice or rats and hiPSC-CMs. Meanwhile, immature cardiomyocytes have been demonstrated to predominantly rely on glycolysis, transitioning to oxidative phosphorylation through maturation, which enhances electrical stability, contractility, and structural organization. LCFAs play a key role in the cardiomyocyte maturation process by serving as key metabolic factors that generate ATP through mitochondrial β-oxidation, thereby improving metabolic efficiency. Additionally, LCFAs are involved in activating cytoskeletal components and signaling pathways integral to cardiomyocyte contractility. Importantly, studies suggest that when multiple biochemical and biophysical stimuli are simultaneously applied, various aspects of cardiomyocyte maturation are synergistically accelerated. Therefore, future studies focusing on the coordinated application of these regulatory factors are expected to enhance the maturation process, ultimately contributing to the generation of mature cardiomyocytes suitable for regenerative medicine and other advanced applications.

Maternal High-Fat Diet Controls Offspring Kidney Health and Disease

A balanced diet during gestation is critical for fetal development, and excessive intake of saturated fats during gestation and lactation is related to an increased risk of offspring kidney disease. Emerging evidence indicates that a maternal high-fat diet influences kidney health and disease of the offspring via so-called renal programming. This review summarizes preclinical research documenting the connection between a maternal high-fat diet during gestation and lactation and offspring kidney disease, as well as the molecular mechanisms behind renal programming, and early-life interventions to offset adverse programming processes. Animal models indicate that offspring kidney health can be improved via perinatal polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation, gut microbiota changes, and modulation of nutrient-sensing signals. These findings reinforce the significance of a balanced maternal diet for the kidney health of offspring.

Prenatal dietary patterns in relation to adolescent offspring adiposity and adipokines in a Mexico City cohort

Maternal diet during pregnancy has been associated with obesity among offspring. The extent to which trimester-specific dietary patterns are associated with markers of adiposity during adolescence remains unclear. We examined associations between prenatal diet patterns with adolescent offspring measures of adiposity and adipokines in 384 mother-adolescent dyads from the Mexico City ELEMENT cohort. Trimester-specific diet patterns were derived from principal component analysis of food frequency questionnaire data. Adolescent anthropometry and serum leptin and adiponectin were measured at 10-17 years. Three maternal diet patterns were identified: Prudent Diet (PD), high in fish and vegetables, the High Meat and Fat Diet (HMFD), high in pork and processed meats, and the Transitioning Mexican Diet (TMD), high in corn tortillas and sugar-sweetened beverages. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate sex-stratified associations among quartiles of diet patterns with adiposity and adipokines, adjusting for maternal marital status, education, and parity. First trimester TMD was associated with greater anthropometric measures and higher leptin in females, while third trimester HMFD was associated higher body fat percentage, triceps thickness, waist circumference, and leptin, but lower adiponectin among males. Contrary to expectation, there were positive associations between the trimester 1 PD pattern and anthropometric measurements in females, and for trimester 2 HMFD and TMD patterns with adipokines among males. Findings suggest maternal diet patterns may influence offspring adiposity markers during adolescence in a sex-specific manner.

Maternal High-Fat Diet and Offspring Hypertension

The incidence of hypertension has increased to epidemic levels in the past decades. Increasing evidence reveals that maternal dietary habits play a crucial role in the development of hypertension in adult offspring. In humans, increased fat consumption has been considered responsible for obesity and associated diseases. Maternal diets rich in saturated fats have been widely employed in animal models to study various adverse offspring outcomes. In this review, we discussed current evidence linking maternal high-fat diet to offspring hypertension. We also provided an in-depth overview of the potential mechanisms underlying hypertension of developmental origins that are programmed by maternal high-fat intake from animal studies. Furthermore, this review also presented an overview of how reprogramming interventions can prevent maternal high-fat-diet-induced hypertension in adult offspring. Overall, recent advances in understanding mechanisms behind programming and reprogramming of maternal high-fat diet on hypertension of developmental origins might provide the answers to curtail this epidemic. Still, more research is needed to translate research findings into practice.

Importance of Windows of Exposure to Maternal High-Fat Diet and Feto-Placental Effects: Discrimination Between Pre-conception and Gestational Periods in a Rabbit Model

Context and Aim: Lipid overnutrition in female rabbits, from prepuberty, leads to impaired metabolism (dyslipidemia and increased adiposity) and follicular atresia, and, when continued during gestation, affects offspring phenotype with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and leads to placental and lipid metabolism abnormalities. Growth retardation is already observed in embryo stage, indicating a possible implication of periconceptional exposure. The objective of this study was to discriminate the effects of preconception and gestational exposures on feto-placental development.

Materials and Methods: Rabbit 1-day zygotes were collected from female donors under control (CD) or high-fat-high-cholesterol (HD) diet and surgically transferred to the left and right uterus, respectively, of each H (n = 6) or C (n = 7) synchronized recipients. Close to term, four combinations, CC (n = 10), CH (n = 13), HC (n = 13), and HH (n = 6), of feto-placental units were collected, for biometry analyses. Fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined in placental labyrinth, decidua, fetal plasma, and fetal liver by gas chromatography and explored further by principal component analysis (PCA). Candidate gene expression was also analyzed by RT-qPCR in the placenta and fetal liver. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn’s pairwise comparison test. Combinations of different data sets were combined and explored by multifactorial analysis (MFA).

Results: Compared to controls, HH fetuses were hypotrophic with reduced placental efficiency and altered organogenesis, CH presented heavier placenta but less efficient, whereas HC presented a normal biometry. However, the MFA resulted in a good separation of the four groups, discriminating the effects of each period of exposure. HD during gestation led to reduced gene expression (nutrient transport and metabolism) and big changes in FA profiles in both tissues with increased membrane linoleic acid, lipid storage, and polyunsaturated-to-saturated FA ratios. Pre-conception exposure had a major effect on fetal biometry and organogenesis in HH, with specific changes in FA profiles (increased MUFAs and decreased LCPUFAs).

Conclusion: Embryo origin left traces in end-gestation feto-placental unit; however, maternal diet during gestation played a major role, either negative (HD) or positive (control). Thus, an H embryo developed favorably when transferred to a C recipient (HC) with normal biometry at term, despite disturbed and altered FA profiles.

Oxidative Stress Profile of Mothers and Their Offspring after Maternal Consumption of High-Fat Diet in Rodents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Maternal exposure to the high-fat diet (HFD) during gestation or lactation can be harmful to both a mother and offspring. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the studies with animal models (rodents) that were exposed to the high-fat diet during pregnancy and/or lactation period to investigate oxidative stress and lipid and liver enzyme profile of mothers and their offspring. The electronic search was performed in the PUBMED (Public/Publisher MEDLINE), EMBASE (Ovid), and Web of Science databases. Data from 77 studies were included for qualitative analysis, and of these, 13 studies were included for meta-analysis by using a random effects model. The pooled analysis revealed higher malondialdehyde levels in offspring of high-fat diet groups. Furthermore, the pooled analysis showed increased reactive oxygen species and lower superoxide dismutase and catalase in offspring of mothers exposed to high-fat diet during pregnancy and/or lactation. Despite significant heterogeneity, the systematic review shows oxidative stress in offspring induced by maternal HFD.

Maternal-infant nutrition and development programming of offspring appetite and obesity

In the United States and Mexico, the obesity epidemic represents a significant public health problem. Although obesity is often attributed to a Western-style, high-fat diet and decreased activity, there is now compelling evidence that this, in part, occurs because of the developmental programming effects resulting from exposure to maternal overnutrition. Human and animal studies demonstrate that maternal obesity and high-fat diet result in an increased risk for childhood and adult obesity. The potential programming effects of obesity have been partly attributed to hyperphagia, which occurs as a result of increased appetite with reduced satiety neuropeptides or neurons. However, depending on maternal nutritional status during the nursing period, the programmed hyperphagia and obesity can be exacerbated or prevented in offspring born to obese mothers. The underlying mechanism of this phenomenon likely involves the plasticity of the appetite regulatory center and thus presents an opportunity to modulate feeding and satiety regulation and break the obesity cycle.

Molecular mechanisms governing offspring metabolic programming in rodent models of in utero stress

The results of different human epidemiological datasets provided the impetus to introduce the now commonly accepted theory coined as 'developmental programming', whereby the presence of a stressor during gestation predisposes the growing fetus to develop diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction in later postnatal life. However, in a clinical setting, human lifespan and inaccessibility to tissue for analysis are major limitations to study the molecular mechanisms governing developmental programming. Subsequently, studies using animal models have proved indispensable to the identification of key molecular pathways and epigenetic mechanisms that are dysregulated in metabolic organs of the fetus and adult programmed due to an adverse gestational environment. Rodents such as mice and rats are the most used experimental animals in the study of developmental programming. This review summarises the molecular pathways and epigenetic mechanisms influencing alterations in metabolic tissues of rodent offspring exposed to in utero stress and subsequently programmed for metabolic dysfunction. By comparing molecular mechanisms in a variety of rodent models of in utero stress, we hope to summarise common themes and pathways governing later metabolic dysfunction in the offspring whilst identifying reasons for incongruencies between models so to inform future work. With the continued use and refinement of such models of developmental programming, the scientific community may gain the knowledge required for the targeted treatment of metabolic diseases that have intrauterine origins.

Maternal conjugated linoleic acid consumption prevented TAG alterations induced by a high-fat diet in male adult rat offspring

Maternal nutritional programming by a high-fat (HF) diet is related to hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in offspring. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might ameliorate impaired hepatic lipid homoeostasis; therefore, the aim was to investigate the potential preventive effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG metabolism alterations induced by HF diets in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed a control (C) diet, HF diet or HF diet supplemented with CLA (HF+CLA) for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, for 9 weeks, male offspring of C or HF rats continued with the same diets as their mothers (C/C or HF/HF groups, respectively) and male offspring of HF+CLA rats were fed HF or HF+CLA diets (HF+CLA/HF or HF+CLA/HF+CLA groups, respectively). Nutritional parameters, serum and liver TAG levels, the TAG secretion rate (TAG-SR) and the activities as well as gene expression of key hepatic enzymes involved in TAG regulation were assessed. The most interesting results were that maternal CLA decreased epididymal white adipose tissue weight and prevented serum and liver TAG accumulation induced by a HF diet in adult male offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. The prevention of liver steatosis in HF+CLA/HF+CLA and HF+CLA/HF offspring was associated with an increased hepatic TAG-SR. Overall, this study provides evidence that maternal CLA consumption programmes TAG regulation and in this way contributes to lowering lipid levels in tissues and preventing liver steatosis in particular.

Maternal Exercise Improves High-Fat Diet-Induced Metabolic Abnormalities and Gut Microbiota Profiles in Mouse Dams and Offspring

Early-life overnutrition programs increased risks of metabolic disorders in adulthood. Regular exercise has been widely accepted to be an effective measure to maintain metabolic health. However, the intergenerational effects of maternal exercise and the specific mechanism are largely unclear. Our objective was to investigate whether maternal exercise could alleviate the metabolic disturbances induced by early-life overnutrition in both dams and offspring and to explore the role of gut microbiota in mediating the effects. C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, which were fed a normal control diet; high-fat group, which received a high-fat diet; and high-fat with exercise intervention group, which was fed a high-fat diet and received a voluntary wheel running training. The diet intervention started from 3 weeks prior to mating and lasted throughout pregnancy and lactation. The exercise intervention was only prior to and during pregnancy. The male offspring got free access to normal chow diet from weaning to 24 weeks of age. Glucose tolerance test and biochemical parameters were detected in dams at weaning and offspring at 8 and 24 weeks of age. Their cecal contents were collected for the 16 s rDNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that maternal high-fat diet resulted in significant glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles disorders in both dams and offspring. Maternal exercise markedly improved insulin sensitivity in dams and metabolic disorders in offspring from young into adulthood. The decrease in unfavorable bacteria and the persistent enrichment of short-chain fatty acids-producers from mothers to adult offspring, particularly the genus Odoribacter, were all associated with the improvement of metabolism by maternal exercise. Overall, maternal exercise could significantly mitigate the detrimental effects of a maternal high-fat diet on metabolism in both dams and male offspring. The continuous alterations in gut microbiota might be a critical factor in deciphering the metabolic benefits of maternal exercise, which provides some novel evidence and targets for combating metabolic diseases.

Polyphenol rich fruit attenuates genomic instability, modulates inflammation and cell cycle progression of offspring from fatty acid intake maternal

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation on the maternal trans fatty acids intake in the livers of 21-day-old offspring. In order for this to happen, histopathological analysis, cytogenetic status, inflammation (COX-2 and TNF-alpha) and cell cycle progression were investigated in this setting. On the first day of pregnancy, female rats were distributed into four groups, as follows: control diet (C), control diet with 0.5 % juçara supplementation (CJ), diet enriched with hydrogenated vegetable fat, rich in TFAs (T), or T diet supplemented with 0.5 % juçara (TJ) during pregnancy and lactation. Juçara pulp induced liver regeneration in newborns exposed to maternal trans fatty acids. A significant decrease in the number of micronucleated hepatocytes was observed in animals exposed to trans fatty acids and treated with juçara. COX-2 and TNF immunoexpression was reduced in animals treated with juçara pulp. Furthermore, a decrease of Ki-67 immunoexpression was detected after treating trans fatty acids intake with juçara. Taken together, our results demonstrate that juçara pulp is able to prevent tissue degeneration and mutagenicity because it decreases inflammation and cell cycle control induced by maternal trans fatty acids in liver cells of rat offspring.

Fetal and neonatal genistein exposure aggravates to interfere with ovarian follicle development of obese female mice induced by high-fat diet

With epidemic of obesity, it affects aspects of female reproduction. Genistein could ameliorate obesity in people and animals, but might exert adverse effects on the female reproductive system. To evaluate the effects of fetal and neonatal genistein exposure on the ovarian health of F1 obese female mice with obesity induced by high-fat diet after weaning, we simulated a diet-induced obesity model to observe and determine biological effects of genistein exposure on the ovarian follicle of overfed female mice. Results showed that F1 female mice with obesity induced by high-fat diet significantly prolonged the estrus cycle, disrupted sex hormonal balance and ovarian follicle development after they were exposed to 25 mg/kg b.w./day of genistein during the fetal and neonatal stages. Genistein significantly up-regulated the ovarian mRNA expression of estrogen receptor beta in F1 obese female mice, and high-fat diet influenced the ovarian mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha, luteinizing hormone receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor. Hence, genistein exposure from the fetal stage might increase the risk of reproductive diseases in obese females in later life. Thus, the long-term risks of genistein to obese females should be thoroughly assessed.

Interactive effects of maternal and weaning high linoleic acid intake on hepatic lipid metabolism, oxylipins profile and hepatic steatosis in offspring

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been described as a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. When several studies correlated maternal linoleic acid (LA) intake with the development of obesity, only few links have been made between n-6 fatty acid (FA) and NAFLD. Herein, we investigated the influence of both maternal and weaning high LA intake on lipid metabolism and susceptibility to develop later metabolic diseases in offspring. Pregnant rats were fed a control-diet (2% LA) or a LA-rich diet (12% LA) during gestation and lactation. At weaning, offspring was assigned to one of the two diets, i.e., either maintained on the same maternal diet or fed the other diet for 6 months. Physiological, biochemical parameters and hepatic FA metabolism were analyzed. We demonstrated that the interaction between the maternal and weaning LA intake altered metabolism in offspring and could lead to hepatic steatosis. This phenotype was associated with altered hepatic FA content and lipid metabolism. Interaction between maternal and weaning LA intake led to a specific pattern of n-6 and n-3 oxylipins that could participate to the development of hepatic steatosis in offspring. Our findings highlight the significant interaction between maternal and weaning high LA intake to predispose offspring to later metabolic disease and support the predictive adaptive response hypothesis.

Associations of maternal and fetal SCD-1 markers with infant anthropometry and maternal diet: Findings from the ROLO study

BACKGROUND

Elevated stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1) activity showed associations with obesity in cross-sectional studies. In non-pregnant populations, nutrition regulates SCD-1 transcription and activity.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the longitudinal associations of maternal and fetal SCD-1 activity markers with infant anthropometry up to 2 years of age, and to explore how selected dietary intakes modulate SCD-1 activity in pregnancy.

METHODS

As a secondary analysis from the ROLO intervention study, which was conducted in a population at risk for macrosomia, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) from maternal plasma at 13 and 28 weeks' gestation and in cord blood were measured via liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry. Fatty acid ratios 18:1/18:0 and 16:1/16:0 were used as markers for SCD-1 activity ('desaturation indices', DIs). Relationships of DIs with infant anthropometry up to 2 years of age and maternal dietary parameters during pregnancy were investigated using adjusted linear regression models and p-values correction for multiple testing.

RESULTS

18:1/18:0, but not 16:1/16:0, was associated with measures of infant anthropometry at birth (maternal and fetal markers) and up to 2 years of age (maternal markers only). Dietary intakes did not show strong associations with 18:1/18:0, but 16:1/16:0 was associated with absolute and relative dietary intakes.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population at risk for macrosomia, maternal SCD-1 activity measured via 18:1/18:0 was involved in the fetal programming of infant obesity, but could not be substantially modulated by short-term diet in pregnancy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registration number: ISRCTN54392969 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN54392969).

Low Oleic/Stearic Desaturation Index in Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) with Steatitis in Southern California, USA

We explored differences between the adipose tissue fatty acid profiles of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) with and without steatitis. Adipose tissue from birds with steatitis exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, low abundance of oleic acid, and a lower oleic/stearic desaturation index compared with tissue from birds without steatitis.

Maternal obesity has sex-dependent effects on insulin, glucose and lipid metabolism and the liver transcriptome in young adult rat offspring

KEY POINTS

Maternal high-fat diet consumption predisposes to metabolic dysfunction in male and female offspring at young adulthood. Maternal obesity programs non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a sex-dependent manner. We demonstrate sex-dependent liver transcriptome profiles in rat offspring of obese mothers. In this study, we focused on pathways related to insulin, glucose and lipid signalling. These results improve understanding of the mechanisms by which a maternal high-fat diet affects the offspring.

ABSTRACT

Maternal obesity (MO) predisposes offspring (F1) to obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MO's effects on the F1 liver transcriptome are poorly understood. We used RNA-seq to determine the liver transcriptome of male and female F1 of MO and control-fed mothers. We hypothesized that MO-F1 are predisposed to sex-dependent adult liver dysfunction. Female Wistar rat mothers ate a control (C) or obesogenic (MO) diet from the time they were weaned through breeding at postnatal day (PND) 120, delivery and lactation. After weaning, all male and female F1 ate a control diet. At PND 110, F1 serum, liver and fat were collected to analyse metabolites, histology and liver differentially expressed genes. Male and female MO-F1 showed increased adiposity index, triglycerides, insulin and homeostatic model assessment vs. C-F1 with similar body weight and glucose serum concentrations. MO-F1 males presented greater physiological and histological NAFLD characteristics than MO-F1 females. RNA-seq revealed 1365 genes significantly changed in male MO-F1 liver and only 70 genes in female MO-F1 compared with controls. GO and KEGG analysis identified differentially expressed genes related to metabolic processes. Male MO-F1 liver showed the following altered pathways: insulin signalling (22 genes), phospholipase D signalling (14 genes), NAFLD (13 genes) and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (7 genes). In contrast, few genes were altered in these pathways in MO-F1 females. In summary, MO programs sex-dependent F1 changes in insulin, glucose and lipid signalling pathways, leading to liver dysfunction and insulin resistance.

High-fat diet modifies expression of hepatic cellular senescence gene p16(INK4a) through chromatin modifications in adult male rats

Background

Liver is the crucial organ as a hub for metabolic reactions. p16(INK4a) is a well-established cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that plays important role in the molecular pathways of senescence, which lead to irreversible cell cycle arrest with secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial dysfunction. This study tested the hypothesis that cellular senescence regulated by p16(INK4a) is associated with high-fat diet in adult male rats.

Methods

Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF) diet or a control (C) diet for 9 weeks after weaning. At 12 weeks of age, liver samples of male rats were collected to investigate the key genes and liver physiological status.

Results

Both mRNA and protein expression level of cellular senescence marker, p16(INK4a), was increased significantly in HF group when compared to C group. A decrease of tri-methylated histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27Me3) in the coding region of p16(INK4a) was observed. On the other hand, mRNA and protein expression of another inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase, p21(Cip1), was decreased significantly in HF group; however, no significant chromatin modification was found in this gene. Histological analysis demonstrated hepatic steatosis in HF group as well as severe fat accumulation.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that HF diet regulated cellular senescence marker p16(INK4a) through chromatin modifications, which may promote hepatic fat accumulation and steatosis.

Improved Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in the Early Life of Female Offspring by Maternal Dietary Genistein Is Associated With Alterations in the Gut Microbiota

Maternal over-nutrition can lead to metabolic disorders in offspring, whereas maternal dietary genistein may have beneficial effects on the metabolic health of offspring. Our objective was to determine whether maternal dietary genistein could attenuate the detrimental effects of a maternal high-fat diet on their offspring's metabolism and to explore the role of the gut microbiota on their offspring's glucose and lipid metabolism. C57BL/6 female mice were fed either a high-fat diet without genistein (HF), high-fat diet with low-dose genistein (0.25 g/kg diet) (HF.LG), high-fat diet with high-dose genistein (0.6 g/kg diet) (HF.HG) or normal control diet (Control) for 3 weeks prior to breeding and throughout gestation and lactation. The female offspring in the HF group had lower birth weights and glucose intolerance and higher serum insulin, triacylglycerol (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels at weaning compared with the Control group. Offspring from HF.LG dams had increased birth weight, improved glucose tolerance, and decreased fasting insulin, whereas the serum TG and TC levels were decreased in HF.HG offspring in comparison with HF offspring. The significant enrichment of Bacteroides and Akkermansia in offspring from genistein-fed dams might play vital roles in improving glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, and the significantly increased abundance of Rikenella and Rikenellaceae_RC9_ gut_group in the HF.HG group may be associated with the decreased serum levels of TG and TC. In conclusion, maternal dietary genistein negates the harmful effects of a maternal high-fat diet on glucose and lipid metabolism in female offspring, in which the altered gut microbiota plays crucial roles. The ability of maternal genistein intake to improve offspring metabolism is important since this intervention could fight the transmission of diabetes to subsequent generations.

The Association between High Fat Diet around Gestation and Metabolic Syndrome-related Phenotypes in Rats: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Numerous rodent studies have evaluated the effects of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) on later in life susceptibility to Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with varying results. Our aim was to quantitatively synthesize the available data on effects of maternal HFD around gestation on offspring's body mass, body fat, plasma leptin, glucose, insulin, lipids and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Literature was screened and summary estimates of the effect of maternal HFD on outcomes were calculated by using fixed- or random-effects models. 362 effect sizes from 68 studies together with relevant moderators were collected. We found that maternal HFD is statistically associated with higher body fat, body weight, leptin, glucose, insulin and triglycerides levels, together with increased SBP in offspring later in life. Our analysis also revealed non-significant overall effect on offspring's HDL-cholesterol. A main source of variation among studies emerged from rat strain and lard-based diet type. Strain and sex -specific effects on particular data subsets were detected. Recommendations are suggested for future research in the field of developmental programming of the MetS. Despite significant heterogeneity, our meta-analysis confirms that maternal HFD had long-term metabolic effects in offspring.

Impact of perinatal exposure to sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS-55) on adiposity and hepatic lipid composition in rat offspring

KEY POINTS

Fructose-containing sugars, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), have been implicated in the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Few studies have evaluated the impact of perinatal exposure to these sugars on metabolic and physiological outcomes in the offspring. Using a rat model, offspring exposed to a maternal sucrose or HFCS diet during the prenatal and/or suckling periods were found to have altered adiposity and liver fat content and composition at weaning. Plasma levels of free fatty acids remained elevated in young adulthood, but consumption of a control diet following weaning appeared to ameliorate most other effects of perinatal exposure to a maternal high-sugar diet. Guidelines for maternal nutrition should advise limiting consumption of fructose-containing sugars, and it is particularly important that these recommendations include maternal nutrition during lactation.

ABSTRACT

Perinatal exposure to excess maternal intake of added sugars, including fructose and sucrose, is associated with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in adult life. However, it is unknown to what extent the type of sugar and the timing of exposure affect these outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of exposure to maternal consumption of a 10% (w/v) beverage containing sucrose or high fructose corn syrup-55 (HFCS-55) during the prenatal and/or suckling periods on offspring at 3 and 12 weeks, utilising a cross-fostering approach in a rodent model. Perinatal sucrose exposure decreased plasma glucose concentrations in offspring at 3 weeks, but did not alter glucose tolerance. Increased adiposity was observed in 3-week-old offspring exposed to sucrose or HFCS-55 during suckling, with increased hepatic fat content in HFCS-55-exposed offspring. In terms of specific fatty acids, hepatic monounsaturated (omega-7 and -9) fatty acid content was elevated at weaning, and was most pronounced in sucrose offspring exposed during both the prenatal and suckling periods, and HFCS-55 offspring exposed during suckling only. By 12 weeks, the effects on adiposity and hepatic lipid composition were largely normalised. However, exposure to either sucrose or HFCS-55 during the prenatal period only was associated with elevated plasma free fatty acids at weaning, and this effect persisted until 12 weeks. This study suggests that the type of sugar and the timing of exposure (prenatal or suckling periods) are both important for determining the impact on metabolic health outcomes in the offspring.

Prenatal Exposure to a Maternal High-Fat Diet Affects Histone Modification of Cardiometabolic Genes in Newborn Rats

Infants born to women with diabetes or obesity are exposed to excess circulating fuels during fetal heart development and are at higher risk of cardiac diseases. We have previously shown that late-gestation diabetes, especially in conjunction with a maternal high-fat (HF) diet, impairs cardiac functions in rat-offspring. This study investigated changes in genome-wide histone modifications in newborn hearts from rat-pups exposed to maternal diabetes and HF-diet. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation-sequencing revealed a differential peak distribution on gene promoters in exposed pups with respect to acetylation of lysines 9 and 14 and to trimethylation of lysines 4 and 27 in histone H3 (all, false discovery rate, FDR < 0.1). In the HF-diet exposed offspring, 54% of the annotated genes showed the gene-activating mark trimethylated lysine 4. Many of these genes (1) are associated with the "metabolic process" in general and particularly with "positive regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis" (FDR = 0.03); (2) overlap with 455 quantitative trait loci for blood pressure, body weight, serum cholesterol (all, FDR < 0.1); and (3) are linked to cardiac disease susceptibility/progression, based on disease ontology analyses and scientific literature. These results indicate that maternal HF-diet changes the cardiac histone signature in offspring suggesting a fuel-mediated epigenetic reprogramming of cardiac tissue in utero.

Effects of Periconception Cadmium and Mercury Co-Administration to Mice on Indices of Chronic Diseases in Male Offspring at Maturity

BACKGROUND

Long-term exposure to the heavy metals cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) is known to increase the risk of chronic diseases. However, to our knowledge, exposure to Cd and Hg beginning at the periconception period has not been studied to date.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effect of Cd and Hg that were co-administered during early development on indices of chronic diseases in adult male mice.

METHODS

Adult female CD1 mice were subcutaneously administered a combination of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and methylmercury (II) chloride (CH₃HgCl) (0, 0.125, 0.5, or 2.0 mg/kg body weight each) 4 days before and 4 days after conception (8 days total). Indices of anxiety-like behavior, glucose homeostasis, endocrine and molecular markers of insulin resistance, and organ weights were examined in adult male offspring.

RESULTS

Increased anxiety-like behavior, impaired glucose homeostasis, and higher body weight and abdominal adipose tissue weight were observed in male offspring of treated females compared with controls. Significantly increased serum leptin and insulin concentrations and impaired insulin tolerance in the male offspring of dams treated with 2.0 mg/kg body weight of Cd and Hg suggested insulin resistance. Altered mRNA abundance for genes associated with glucose and lipid homeostasis (GLUT4, IRS1, FASN, ACACA, FATP2, CD36, and G6PC) in liver and abdominal adipose tissues as well as increased IRS1 phosphorylation in liver (Ser 307) provided further evidence of insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that the co-administration of Cd and Hg to female mice during the early development of their offspring (the periconception period) was associated with anxiety-like behavior, altered glucose metabolism, and insulin resistance in male offspring at adulthood.

Beneficial effects of exercise on offspring obesity and insulin resistance are reduced by maternal high-fat diet

SCOPE

We investigated the long-term effects of maternal high-fat consumption and post-weaning exercise on offspring obesity susceptibility and insulin resistance.

METHODS

C57BL/6J dams were fed either a high-fat (HFD, 40% kcal fat) or low-fat (LFD, 10% kcal fat) semi-synthetic diet during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring of both maternal diet groups (mLFD; mHFD) received a LFD. At week 7, half of the mice got access to a running wheel (+RW) as voluntary exercise training. To induce obesity, all offspring groups (mLFD +/-RW and mHFD +/-RW) received HFD from week 15 until week 25.

RESULTS

Compared to mLFD, mHFD offspring were more prone to HFD-induced body fat gain and exhibited an increased liver mass which was not due to increased hepatic triglyceride levels. RW improved the endurance capacity in mLFD, but not in mHFD offspring. Additionally, mHFD offspring +RW exhibited higher plasma insulin levels during glucose tolerance test and an elevated basal pancreatic insulin production compared to mLFD offspring.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, maternal HFD reduced offspring responsiveness to the beneficial effects of voluntary exercise training regarding the improvement of endurance capacity, reduction of fat mass gain, and amelioration of HFD-induced insulin resistance.

The Potential Protective Action of Vitamin D in Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Pancreatic Islet Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Vitamin D deficiency (i.e., hypovitaminosis D) is associated with increased insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and poorly controlled glucose homeostasis, and thus is correlated with the risk of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The liver plays key roles in glucose and lipid metabolism, and its dysregulation leads to abnormalities in hepatic glucose output and triglyceride accumulation. Meanwhile, the pancreatic islets are constituted in large part by insulin-secreting β cells. Consequently, islet dysfunction, such as occurs in T2DM, produces hyperglycemia. In this review, we provide a critical appraisal of the modulatory actions of vitamin D in hepatic insulin sensitivity and islet insulin secretion, and we discuss the potential roles of a local vitamin D signaling in regulating hepatic and pancreatic islet functions. This information provides a scientific basis for establishing the benefits of the maintenance, or dietary manipulation, of adequate vitamin D status in the prevention and management of obesity-induced T2DM and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Programmed regulation of rat offspring adipogenic transcription factor (PPARγ) by maternal nutrition

We determined the protein expression of adipogenic transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its co-repressor and co-activator complexes in adipose tissue from the obese offspring of under- and over-nourished dams. Female rats were fed either a high-fat (60% kcal) or control (10% kcal) diet before mating, and throughout pregnancy and lactation (Mat-OB). Additional dams were 50% food-restricted from pregnancy day 10 to term [intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR)]. Adipose tissue protein expression was analyzed in newborn and adult male offspring. Normal birth weight Mat-OB and low birth weight IUGR newborns had upregulated PPARγ with variable changes in co-repressors and co-activators. As obese adults, Mat-OB and IUGR offspring had increased PPARγ with decreased co-repressor and increased co-activator expression. Nutritionally programmed increased PPARγ expression is associated with altered expression of its co-regulators in the newborn and adult offspring. Functional studies of PPARγ co-regulators are necessary to establish their role in PPARγ-mediated programmed obesity.