Maternal low-protein diet in female rat heart: possible protective effect of estradiol

Abstract

Several studies have shown that maternal low-protein (LP) diet induces detrimental effects in cardiovascular system and oxidative stress in male animals. Additional studies suggested that female has lower incidence of cardiovascular disease. However until present data, the possible effects of estradiol on the undernutrition during gestational and lactation periods are not discussed. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a maternal LP diet during gestational and lactation period on oxidative balance in the female rat hearts ventricles at two ages. Dams were fed with normal protein (NP) or a LP diet during the gestational and lactation period, and their female offspring were divided into age groups (22 or 122 days, corresponding to a low or high estrogen level) composing four experimental groups. Evaluating the nutritional effect showed an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers and decrease in enzymatic defense in LP-22D compared with NP-22D. In contrast, no changes were observed in malondialdehyde and carbonyls, but an increase in glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in the LP-122D compared with NP-122D. The global oxy-score in the LP-22D group indicated a predominance of oxidative damage when compared with NP-22D, while in LP-122D group the global oxy-score was restored to NP-122D levels. Evaluating the estradiol effect, our data show a significant decrease in oxidative stress with increase in CAT and GST activity, associated with increase in intracellular thiols. Our data suggest that in situation with low levels of estradiol, hypoproteic diet during gestation and lactation period has detrimental effects on heart, however when estradiol levels raise, the detrimental effects induced are mitigated.

Maternal Protein Restriction in Two Successive Generations Impairs Mitochondrial Electron Coupling in the Progeny’s Brainstem of Wistar Rats From Both Sexes

“…Among the factors contributing to the degree of oxidative damage, and conversely the upregulation of antioxidant defenses in individuals exposed to malnutrition during gestation/lactation, is the gender, which greatly influences the relative amount of estrogen present both during the period of mitochondrial damage in the mother, and later in life when damage first becomes evident in the progeny (Lagranha et al, 2010; Braz et al, 2017; Silva et al, 2018). Clearly then, a maternal low-protein diet would be expected to affect male and female offspring differently in the F1 generation, and perhaps into succeeding generations.…”

Maternal Dietary Pattern with an Emphasis on Child Growth Pattern and Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration

“…However, other studies [28][29][30][31] failed to reach the direct association between fruit intake and birth weight. Further, animal studies suggest that low protein diet during gestation and lactation has a detrimental effect on postnatal growth [32]. Likewise, cereal and pulses in addition to different types of meat contributed to growth of a child.…”

Perinatal Protein Undernutrition and Cardiovascular System: A Systematic Review

“…9 On the other hand, protein malnutrition during the perinatal period is also capable of promoting morphological and functional damage to the cardiovascular system. [10][11][12] Experimental models that restrict the amount of casein in the food of rats and mice are quite widespread in the scientific literature. However, the protein content used in the diet of pregnant female rats and the gender of their offspring vary considerably.…”