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

Abstract

Key pointsr Fructose-containing sugars, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), have been implicated in the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes.r Few studies have evaluated the impact of perinatal exposure to these sugars on metabolic and physiological outcomes in the offspring.r 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.r 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.r 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.

Neurobehavioral effects of long‐term maternal fructose intake in rat offspring

“…Unexpectedly, fructose-exposed male offspring showed decreased triglyceride levels compare to the control group. As described previously, the metabolic changes observed in fructose-exposed rats are quite conflicting among the studies, possibly due to study design (de Moura et al, 2009;Toop et al, 2015Toop et al, , 2017Yuruk and Nergiz-Unal, 2017).…”

“…Unexpectedly, fructose‐exposed male offspring showed decreased triglyceride levels compare to the control group. As described previously, the metabolic changes observed in fructose‐exposed rats are quite conflicting among the studies, possibly due to study design (de Moura et al, 2009; Toop et al, 2015, 2017; Yuruk and Nergiz‐Unal, 2017). The discrepancies between the studies may be explained by differences in the amount (10%–60%) and route (diet, oral administration or drinking water) of maternal fructose intake, strain of rats (Wistar or Sprague–Dawley), the timing of exposure (prenatal or suckling periods) and the age at which offspring were assessed (immediately after weaning or later).…”

Maternal fructose consumption can affect offspring metabolic outcomes

“…In this issue of The Journal of Physiology , Toop et al . () report that perinatal exposure (before birth and during lactation) to maternal consumption of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS; 55% fructose) has detrimental effects on the offspring, chiefly on adiposity, plasma FFAs, hepatic fat content and hepatic lipid composition, which differed somewhat depending on the sugar and the window of exposure. The major changes are summarized in Fig.…”

Synergetic Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal High Sucrose Intake on Glucose Tolerance and Hepatic Insulin Resistance in Rat Offspring

“…For instance, offspring fed 70% of total calories as sucrose had a higher adiponectin concentration, and offspring fed 5% sucrose for 10 weeks presented with increases in adipocyte size and the adiposity index. However, other studies have revealed that affected offspring exhibit adaptive responses to abnormal prenatal exposures . The relationship between prenatal and postnatal high sucrose exposure and the possible mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear.…”