Short- and long-term effects of a neonatal low-protein diet in rats on the morphology of the larynx

Effects of high-fat diet on somatic growth, metabolic parameters and function of peritoneal macrophages of young rats submitted to a maternal low-protein diet

This study evaluated the effects of a post-weaning high-fat (HF) diet on somatic growth, food consumption, metabolic parameters, phagocytic rate and nitric oxide (NO) production of peritoneal macrophages in young rats submitted to a maternal low-protein (LP) diet. Male Wistar rats (aged 60 d) were divided in two groups (n 22/each) according to their maternal diet during gestation and lactation: control (C, dams fed 17 % casein) and LP (dams fed 8 % casein). At weaning, half of the groups were fed HF diet and two more groups were formed (HF and low protein-high fat (LP-HF)). Somatic growth, food and energy intake, fat depots, serum glucose, cholesterol and leptin concentrations were evaluated. Phagocytic rate and NO production were analysed in peritoneal macrophages under stimulation of zymosan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+interferon γ (IFN-γ), respectively. The maternal LP diet altered the somatic parameters of growth and development of pups. LP and LP-HF pups showed a higher body weight gain and food intake than C pups. HF and LP-HF pups showed increased retroperitoneal and epididymal fat depots, serum level of TAG and total cholesterol compared with C and LP pups. After LPS+IFN-γ stimulation, LP and LP-HF pups showed reduced NO production when compared with their pairs. Increased phagocytic activity and NO production were seen in LP but not LP-HF peritoneal macrophages. However, peritoneal macrophages of LP pups were hyporesponsive to LPS+IFN-γ induced NO release, even after a post-weaning HF diet. Our data demonstrated that there was an immunomodulation related to dietary fatty acids after the maternal LP diet-induced metabolic programming.

Effect of early undernutrition on masticatory morphophysiology: review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Certain periods of development of the nervous system are critically vulnerable to environmental insults because of the processes involved that cycle very quickly. Morphologic and functional development of mastication occurs coincidently during these stages. Early environmental insults during critical periods can cause permanent effects on both structures and functions of organic systems that can have lasting repercussions in adulthood.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated, through a literature review, the possible effects of perinatal calorie and/or protein low diet on structural and physiological development of mastication.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search was conducted from in the PUBMED electronic database. In collecting literature we used the keywords: "undernutrition" and "stomatognathic system". Criteria used in the selection of articles for inclusion were: studies evaluating the effects of perinatal calorie and/or protein low diet on masticatory morphology and function. Exclusion criteria included, short communications and nonavailability in full text format.

CONCLUSION

Undernutrition during critical periods of life causes changes in the key structures of masticatory function. This fact can affect the selection of essential nutrients, thereby interfering with the process of satiation.