Liquid carbohydrate intake modifies transsulfuration pathway both in pregnant rats and in their male descendants

INTRODUCTION

Fructose, alone or in combination with glucose, has been used as a source of added sugars to manufacture sugary drinks and processed foods. High consumption of simple sugars, mainly fructose, has been demonstrated to be one of the causes of developing metabolic diseases. Maternal nutrition is a key factor in the health of the progeny when adult. However, ingestion of fructose-containing foods is still permitted during gestation. Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) is a gasotransmitter produced in the transsulfuration pathway with proved beneficial effects to combat metabolic diseases.

METHODS

Carbohydrates were supplied to pregnant rats in drinking water (10% wt/vol) throughout gestation, and the pregnant rats, their foetuses, and adult male descendants were studied. Later, adult male progeny from control, fructose- and glucose-fed mothers were subjected to liquid fructose, and were compared to the control group. Liver H₂S production was determined.

RESULTS

This study shows that, in pregnancy, either a fructose-rich diet per se or situations that produce an impaired insulin sensitivity such as an excessive intake of glucose, decrease hepatic and placental production of H₂S. Furthermore, this effect was also observed in the liver of male offspring (both in foetal and adult stages). Interestingly, when these adult descendants were subjected to a high fructose intake, decreases in H₂S synthesis in liver and adipose tissue due to this fructose intake were maternal consumption dependent.

CONCLUSIONS

Given H₂S is a protective agent against diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome, the fact that carbohydrate consumption reduces H₂S synthesis both in pregnancy and in their progeny could have clear and relevant clinical implications.

The comparison of the effects of ketamine and etomidate on cardiodynamics, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in Wistar male rats

It is well known the use of ketamine and etomidate in clinical practice; however, the difference in the systemic effects of these two anesthetic agents is still debatable. Thus, in the present study we aimed to compare their effects on heart, and other organs through estimation of cardiodynamics, biochemical and hematological parameters. Male Wistar rats were divided in 2 groups containing of 2 subgroups (n = 7 in each subgroup, n = 28 in total): (1) bolus injection of anesthetic ketamine (40 mg/kg b.w., i.p. n = 14); (2) bolus injection of anesthetic etomidate (20 mg/kg b.w., i.p. n = 14). The experiments were done in vitro in one subgroup of each group: cardiodynamic variables (dp/dt_max, dp/dt_min, heart rate), coronary flow, oxidative stress in coronary effluent and cardiac tissue homogenate, and in vivo in another subgroup: biochemical and hematological parameters, and oxidative stress in haemolysate. Significantly increased left ventricular contractility (dp/dt_max) and relaxation (dp/dt_min) were noticed in etomidate group. Creatinine (CREA), HDL cholesterol and folate were significantly higher in etomidate group, whereas amylase (AMY) and eosinophils in ketamine group. Our results suggested that ketamine has more antioxidant potential compared to etomidate, and etomidate has more favorable effects regarding cardiac performance.