Fetal and postnatal zinc restriction: sex differences in metabolic alterations in adult rats

CASTAÑON A; ELESGARAY R; TOMAT AL; CASTAÑON A; ELESGARAY R; TOMAT AL; MENDES-GARRIDO F; LUCERO, D; SCHREIER L; MENDES-GARRIDO F; LUCERO, D; SCHREIER L; GOBETTO MN; CANIFFI C; ARRANZ C; GOBETTO MN; CANIFFI C; ARRANZ C

NUTRITION

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 65 p. 18 - 26

0899-9007

Objective: Intrauterine and postnatal micronutrientmalnutrition may program metabolic diseases in adulthood. We examined whethermoderate zinc restriction in male and female rats throughout fetal life,lactation and/or post-weaning growth induces alterations in liver, adiposetissue and intermediate metabolism. Methods: Female Wistar rats were fed low or controlzinc diets from pregnancy to offspring weaning. After weaning, male and femaleoffspring were fed either a low or a control zinc diet. At 74 days of life,oral glucose tolerance tests were performed and serum metabolic profiles wereevaluated. Systolic blood pressure as well as oxidative stress and morphologyof liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue were evaluated in 81 day-oldoffspring. Results: Zinc restriction during prenatal andpostnatal life induced an increase in systolic blood pressure, hyperglycemia,hypertriglyceridemia, higher serum glucose levels at 180 minutes after glucoseoverload, and greater insulin resistance indexes in males. Hepatic histologicalstudies revealed no morphological alterations, but an increase in lipidperoxidation and catalase activity were observed in zinc deficient males. Adiposetissue from zinc-deficient male rats showed adipocytes hypertrophy, an increasein lipid peroxidation and a reduction in catalase and glutathione peroxidaseactivity. Adequate dietary zinc content during post-weaning growth reversedbasal hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance indexes, hepaticoxidative stress and adipocyte hypertrophy. Female rats were less sensitive tothe metabolic effects of zinc restriction. Conclusions: This studystrengthens the importance of a balanced intake of zinc during growth to ensureadequate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in adult life.