Olive oil dietary treatments during pregnancy prevent maternal diabetes-induced cardiac alteration in the offspring

SABRINA ROBERTI; BELÉN MAZZUCCO; ALICIA JAWERBAUM; ROMINA HIGA

Mar del Plata

Congreso; VI SLIMP Latin American Symposium on Maternal Fetal Interaction and Placenta.; 2015

SLIMP

Maternal diabetes induces structural and functional changes in different fetal organs, with adverse consequences in fetal and postnatal development and growth. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) regulates deposition of extracellular matrix components, and plays a role in pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory processes. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that regulate metabolic and anti-inflammatory pathways. We have previously observed that maternal treatment with olive oil (containing 75% of oleic acid, a PPAR agonist) improves embryo and feto-placental development. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of this diet will be evident in the offspring of diabetic rats and selected the heart as a target organ to study. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a maternal diet enriched in olive oil (6%) on CTGF and collagen levels, PPARα expression and cellular apoptosis in the heart of offspring from control and diabetic rats. Methods: Mild diabetes was induced by neonatal streptozotocin administration. Control and diabetic adult rats were mated with healthy males. Control and diabetic rats were fed with a standard or a 6% olive oil-supplemented diet during pregnancy. CTGF and collagen (immunohistochemistry), PPARalpha (PCR) and cellular apoptosis (TUNEL) were measured in the heart of 21-day-old offspring. Results: We observed an increase in CTGF and collagen levels, an increase in PPARalpha expression and a greater number of apoptotic cells in the heart of offspring from diabetic rats. Olive oil-supplemented diet diminished CTGF and collagen levels, PPARalpha expression, and the apoptotic rate in the heart of offspring from diabetic rats. Conclusion: Maternal diabetes programs alterations in the extracellular matrix and in a major regulator of energy homeostasis in the heart of the offspring, which could be involved in the increased apoptotic rate in this organ. The maternal treatment enriched in olive oil restored the alterations observed, showing protection from the cardiac anomalies induced by maternal diabetes