Maternal high-fat diet triggers metabolic syndrome disorders that are transferred to first and second offspring generations

Abstract

A high-fat (H) diet increases metabolic disorders in offspring. However, there is great variability in the literature regarding the time of exposure, composition of the H diets offered to the genitors and/or offspring and parameters evaluated. Here, we investigated the effect of a H diet subjected to the genitors on different cardio-metabolic parameters on first (F1)- and second (F2)-generation offspring. Female Fischer rats, during mating, gestation and breast-feeding, were subjected to the H diet (G0HF) or control (G0CF) diets. Part of F1 offspring becomes G1 genitors for generating the F2 offspring. After weaning, F1 and F2 rats consumed only the C diet. Nutritional, biometric, biochemical and haemodynamic parameters were evaluated. G0HF genitors had a reduction in food intake but energy intake was similar to the control group. Compared with the control group, the F1H and F2H offspring presented increased plasma leptin, insulin and fasting glucose levels, dietary intake, energy intake, adiposity index, mean arterial pressure, sympathetic drive evidenced by the hexamethonium and insulin resistance. Our data showed that only during mating, gestation and breast-feeding, maternal H diet induced cardio-metabolic disorders characteristic of human metabolic syndrome that were transferred to both females and males of F1 and F2 offspring, even if they were fed control diet after weaning. This process probably occurs due to the disturbance in mechanisms related to leptin that increases energy intake in F1H and F2H offspring. The present data reinforce the importance of balanced diet during pregnancy and breast-feeding for the health of the F1 and F2 offspring.

Maternal High-Fat Diet and Offspring Hypertension

“…Current evidence has emerged from animal models that offspring exposed to a maternal HFD manifest various components of metabolic syndrome [ 26 , 27 ], including obesity [ 26 ], insulin resistance [ 28 ], liver steatosis [ 29 ], dyslipidemia [ 29 ], and hypertension [ 30 ]. Additionally, maternal HFD may modify the development of the brain, resulting in reduced cognitive development, increased depressive-like and aggressive behaviors, and alteration in feeding habits in the offspring [ 8 ].…”

Epigenetics in the Uterine Environment: How Maternal Diet and ART May Influence the Epigenome in the Offspring with Long-Term Health Consequences

“…Different studies pointed towards the possible idea that, across generations, a compromised diet can affect the phenotype and epigenome of the next generation, making them prone to developing metabolic [ 19 ] and even mental illnesses [ 20 ], by epigenetic variations that are subject to variations in diet [ 20 ]. These premises represent a starting point to understand how lifestyle and dietary behaviours during pregnancy can alter an offspring’s health by triggering epigenetic modifications during development.…”

Maternal High-Fat Diet Impairs Placental Fatty Acid β-Oxidation and Metabolic Homeostasis in the Offspring

“…Our previous study found that maternal overnutrition was associated with glucose intolerance, insulin intolerance, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in the offspring ( 6 – 9 ). Increasing studies also indicate that this transgenerational effect even can be transmitted to the next generation ( 10 – 12 ). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.…”