Deleterious effect of maternal consumption of a fructose rich diet during pregnancy or lactation, on metabolic-endocrine functions in the male offspring

ALZAMENDI A; CASTROGIOVANNI D; GAILLARD RC; SPINEDI E; GIOVAMBATTISTA A

Washington DC, USA

Congreso; THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY´S ANNUAL MEETING; 2009

The Endocrine Society

Obesity represents a major health problem affecting the population from both developed and developing countries. Epidemiologic and experimental studies suggest that an adverse environment during gestation or early neonatal life periods alters normal growth and predispose the individual for the development of severe metabolic disorder, such as obesity, insulin resistence and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the consumption of an iso-caloric fructose rich diet (FRD) by mothers, during pregnancy or lactation, on adipocyte and other metabolic functions in the male offspring. Day 1 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats, fed with standard chow diet ad libitum, were alloctaed into groups: a) receiving FRD (10 % F, w/v) in the drinking water during pregnancy (FRD-P); b) FRD was provided during lactation (FRD-L), and c) mothers drinking only tap water during both periods served as controls (CTR). Body weight (BW), and food and fluid intakes were daily registered in male rats of the first offspring, from weaning (day 21) and up to the experimental day (age 60 days). Circulating levels of glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), insulin (INS) and leptin (LEP) were evaluated. Retroperitoneal (RP) adipose tissue pads were dissected out and kept frozen until quantification of ob mRNA expression. Male rats from FRD-P mothers did not diplay changes in BW and food intake, and were characterized by diminished (P < 0.05 vs. CTR values) plasma levels of GLU and TG, but normal plasma levels of TC, INS and LEP. FRD-L male rats showed increased (P < 0.05 vs. CTR) BW throughout the study, in a partial concordance with their enhanced (P < 0.05 vs. CTR) food intake between days 49 and 60. FRD-L rats also developed an increase (P < 0.05 vs. CTR rats) in insulin and leptin peripheral levels, although those of GLU, TG and TC remained normal. Finally, RP fat ob mRNA abundance was not modified in FRD-P male rats, and FRD intake during lactation (FRD-L) resulted in male rats with increased (P < 0.05 vs. CTR values) ob mRNA expression in RP fat pads. It is concluded that excessive fructose consumption during either pregnancy or lactation period resulted in severe metabolic-endocrine disorders of the first male offspring. These abnormalities could be responsible, at least in part, for the enhanced susceptibility of the adult male individual for the development of metabolic syndrome, obesity or/and type 2 diabetes.Sources of Support: FONCyT-PICT 01051-2007FRPE 2007-2009