The offspring from rats fed a fatty diet display impairments in the activation of liver peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha and features of fatty liver disease

Impact of diet-induced maternal obesity on the reproductive capacity of F1 female offspring and the early development of the second generation

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of maternal obesity on the reproductive capacity of the female offspring (F1) and on the early development of the second generation (F2). To this end, rats were fed either standard (SD) or cafeteria (CD) diet. CD rats and their offspring were divided into two groups: rats with 18% and ≥25% overweight (CD18 and CD25, respectively) and offspring from CD18 and CD25 rats (OCD18 and OCD25, respectively). Both OCD groups achieved greater weight gain than controls, without changes in the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol or triglycerides. However, they showed increased gonadal cholesterol concentration and fat content compared to controls. Female OCD groups showed a slight prolongation of the estrous cycle and different pattern of changes in the weight gain during pregnancy. The OCD25 group displayed an increased fertility index and pre-implantation losses, and changes in some fetal measurements. Some OCD25 dams gave birth to a larger litter of pups and displayed a lower viability index and lactation rate than controls. OCD25 dams also showed an increase in estradiol and a decrease in testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone. OCD25 rats showed increased mRNA levels of steroidogenenic enzymes. The offspring from OCD25 females (F2OCD25 offspring) showed early vaginal opening and higher ovulation rate in females, and lower ano-genital distances in males, compared to controls. In conclusion, these results reflect that maternal obesity impacts on the reproductive health of successive generations, probably as a result of epigenetic changes in different systems, including germ cells.

Loss of NAT10 alleviates maternal high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in male offspring of mice

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is becoming an escalating health problem in pediatric populations. This study aimed to investigate the role of N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) in maternal high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD in offspring at early life.

METHODS

We generated male hepatocyte-specific NAT10 knockout (Nat10HKO) mice and mated them with female Nat10fl/fl mice under chow or HFD feeding. Body weight, liver histopathology, and expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes (Srebp1c, Fasn, Pparα, Cd36, Fatp2, Mttp, and Apob) were assessed in male offspring at weaning. Lipid uptake assays were performed both in vivo and in vitro. The mRNA stability assessment and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to determine NAT10-regulated target genes.

RESULTS

NAT10 deletion in hepatocytes of male offspring alleviated perinatal lipid accumulation induced by maternal HFD, decreasing expression levels of Srebp1c, Fasn, Cd36, Fatp2, Mttp, and Apob while enhancing Pparα expression. Furthermore, Nat10HKO male mice exhibited reduced lipid uptake. In vitro, NAT10 promoted lipid uptake by enhancing the mRNA stability of CD36 and FATP2. RNA immunoprecipitation assays exhibited direct interactions between NAT10 and CD36/FATP2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

NAT10 deletion in offspring hepatocytes ameliorates maternal HFD-induced hepatic steatosis through decreasing mRNA stability of CD36 and FATP2, highlighting NAT10 as a potential therapeutic target for pediatric MASLD.

Intestinal alterations and mild glucose homeostasis impairments in the offspring born to overweight rats

The gut plays a crucial role in metabolism by regulating the passage of nutrients, water and microbial-derived substances to the portal circulation. Additionally, it produces incretins, such as glucose-insulinotropic releasing peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like derived peptide 1 (GLP1, encoded by gcg gene) in response to nutrient uptake. We aimed to investigate whether offspring from overweight rats develop anomalies in the barrier function and incretin transcription. We observed pro-inflammatory related changes along with a reduction in Claudin-3 levels resulting in increased gut-permeability in fetuses and offspring from overweight rats. Importantly, we found decreased gip mRNA levels in both fetuses and offspring from overweight rats. Differently, gcg mRNA levels were upregulated in fetuses, downregulated in female offspring and unchanged in male offspring from overweight rats. When cultured with high glucose, intestinal explants showed an increase in gip and gcg mRNA levels in control offspring. In contrast, offspring from overweight rats did not exhibit any response in gip mRNA levels. Additionally, while females showed no response, male offspring from overweight rats did exhibit an upregulation in gcg mRNA levels. Furthermore, female and male offspring from overweight rats showed sex-dependent anomalies when orally challenged with a glucose overload, returning to baseline glucose levels after 120 min. These results open new research questions about the role of the adverse maternal metabolic condition in the programming of impairments in glucose homeostasis, enteroendocrine function and gut barrier function in the offspring from overweight mothers and highlight the importance of a perinatal maternal healthy metabolism.

Comparison of the impact of saturated fat from full-fat yogurt or low-fat yogurt and butter on cardiometabolic factors: a randomized cross-over trial

PURPOSE

Dairy foods are often a major contributor to dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake. However, different SFA-rich foods may not have the same effects on cardiovascular risk factors. We compared full-fat yogurt with low-fat yogurt and butter for their effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy individuals.

METHODS

Randomized, two-period crossover trial conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 among 30 healthy men and women (15 to receive full-fat yogurt first, and 15 to receive low-fat yogurt and butter first). Participants consumed a diet with 1.5-2 servings of full-fat (4%) yogurt or low-fat (< 1.5) yogurt and 10-15 g of butter per day for 4 weeks, with 4 weeks wash-out when they consumed 1.5-2 servings of low-fat milk. At baseline, and the end of each 4 weeks, fasting blood samples were drawn and plasma lipids, glycemic and inflammatory markers as well as expression of some genes in the blood buffy coats fraction were determined.

RESULTS

All 30 participants completed the two periods of the study. Apolipoprotein B was higher for the low-fat yogurt and butter [changes from baseline, + 10.06 (95%CI 4.64 to 15.47)] compared with the full-fat yogurt [-4.27 (95%CI, -11.78 to 3.23)] and the difference between two treatment periods was statistically significant (p = 0.004). Non-high-density lipoprotein increased for the low-fat yogurt and butter [change, + 5.06 (95%CI (-1.56 to 11.69) compared with the full-fat yogurt [change, - 4.90 (95%CI, -11.61 to 1.81), with no significant difference between two periods (p = 0.056). There were no between-period differences in other plasma lipid, insulin, and inflammatory biomarkers or leukocyte gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 and CD36.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that short-term intake of SFAs from full-fat yogurt compared to intake from butter and low-fat yogurt has fewer adverse effects on plasma lipid profile.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV: NCT05589350, 10/15/2022.

Effects of a High-Fat Diet and Docosahexaenoic Acid during Pregnancy on Fatty Acid Composition in the Fetal Livers of Mice

A high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy promotes fat accumulation and reduces docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in the liver of the offspring at postnatal ages, which can depend on fetal sex. However, the prenatal mechanisms behind these associations are still unclear. Thus, we analyzed if an HFD alters DHA content and the expression of molecules related to fatty acid (FA) metabolism in the fetal liver. Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet or HFD for 4-6 weeks before pregnancy until the gestational day (GD) 17.5. A subgroup of each diet received DHA (100 mg/Kg) orally from GD 6.5 until 16.5. On GD 17.5, maternal livers, placentas, and livers from male and female fetuses were collected for FA profiling with gas-chromatography and gene expression of molecules related to FA metabolism using qPCR. PPAR-α protein expression was evaluated using Western blot. The gene expression of placental FA transporters was also assessed. An HFD increased eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and decreased DHA levels and protein expression of PPAR-α in the fetal livers of both sexes. DHA increased the gene expression of Ppara, Cpt1, and Acsl1 in the livers of female fetuses. Therefore, an HFD reduces DHA levels and PPAR-α, a master regulator of gene expression, in the fetal liver. In turn, the livers of female fetuses seem to be more sensitive to DHA action.

The Potential Role of PPARs in the Fetal Origins of Adult Disease

The fetal origins of adult disease (FOAD) hypothesis holds that events during early development have a profound impact on one’s risk for the development of future adult disease. Studies from humans and animals have demonstrated that many diseases can begin in childhood and are caused by a variety of early life traumas, including maternal malnutrition, maternal disease conditions, lifestyle changes, exposure to toxins/chemicals, improper medication during pregnancy, and so on. Recently, the roles of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in FOAD have been increasingly appreciated due to their wide variety of biological actions. PPARs are members of the nuclear hormone receptor subfamily, consisting of three distinct subtypes: PPARα, β/δ, and γ, highly expressed in the reproductive tissues. By controlling the maturation of the oocyte, ovulation, implantation of the embryo, development of the placenta, and male fertility, the PPARs play a crucial role in the transition from embryo to fetus in developing mammals. Exposure to adverse events in early life exerts a profound influence on the methylation pattern of PPARs in offspring organs, which can affect development and health throughout the life course, and even across generations. In this review, we summarize the latest research on PPARs in the area of FOAD, highlight the important role of PPARs in FOAD, and provide a potential strategy for early prevention of FOAD.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Nostoc commune Ethanol Extract In Vitro and In Vivo

Nostoc commune is an edible terrestrial blue-green alga. It has shown many beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical assay of N. commune ethanol extract (NEE) and its anti-obesity effects. The effect of a high-calorie diet on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is investigated, and a Wistar rat model is used to demonstrate the anti-obesity effect of NEE and its mechanism. The results showed that the NEE has phytochemical compounds, such as total polyphenol, total flavonoids, and total terpenoids. NEE was also shown to suppress cell proliferation and lipid accumulation (26.9%) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, NEE reduced the body weight (13.5%), fat tissue weight (13.3%), and the serum FFA (19.4%), TG (14.2%), TC (11.8%), and LDL-C (16.4%) of rats. In histopathology, NEE was shown to diminish the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid droplets. The NEE downregulated the mRNA expression of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c) and lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL) in epididymal adipose tissue. The NEE also upregulated the mRNA expression of β-oxidation related genes (AMPK, CPT-1, PPAR-α) in the liver. Overall, this study suggests NEE has the potential to be developed as a functional food for anti-obesity.

Importance of Windows of Exposure to Maternal High-Fat Diet and Feto-Placental Effects: Discrimination Between Pre-conception and Gestational Periods in a Rabbit Model

Context and Aim: Lipid overnutrition in female rabbits, from prepuberty, leads to impaired metabolism (dyslipidemia and increased adiposity) and follicular atresia, and, when continued during gestation, affects offspring phenotype with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and leads to placental and lipid metabolism abnormalities. Growth retardation is already observed in embryo stage, indicating a possible implication of periconceptional exposure. The objective of this study was to discriminate the effects of preconception and gestational exposures on feto-placental development.

Materials and Methods: Rabbit 1-day zygotes were collected from female donors under control (CD) or high-fat-high-cholesterol (HD) diet and surgically transferred to the left and right uterus, respectively, of each H (n = 6) or C (n = 7) synchronized recipients. Close to term, four combinations, CC (n = 10), CH (n = 13), HC (n = 13), and HH (n = 6), of feto-placental units were collected, for biometry analyses. Fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined in placental labyrinth, decidua, fetal plasma, and fetal liver by gas chromatography and explored further by principal component analysis (PCA). Candidate gene expression was also analyzed by RT-qPCR in the placenta and fetal liver. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis followed by Dunn’s pairwise comparison test. Combinations of different data sets were combined and explored by multifactorial analysis (MFA).

Results: Compared to controls, HH fetuses were hypotrophic with reduced placental efficiency and altered organogenesis, CH presented heavier placenta but less efficient, whereas HC presented a normal biometry. However, the MFA resulted in a good separation of the four groups, discriminating the effects of each period of exposure. HD during gestation led to reduced gene expression (nutrient transport and metabolism) and big changes in FA profiles in both tissues with increased membrane linoleic acid, lipid storage, and polyunsaturated-to-saturated FA ratios. Pre-conception exposure had a major effect on fetal biometry and organogenesis in HH, with specific changes in FA profiles (increased MUFAs and decreased LCPUFAs).

Conclusion: Embryo origin left traces in end-gestation feto-placental unit; however, maternal diet during gestation played a major role, either negative (HD) or positive (control). Thus, an H embryo developed favorably when transferred to a C recipient (HC) with normal biometry at term, despite disturbed and altered FA profiles.