Abnormal aortic fatty acid composition and small artery function in offspring of rats fed a high fat diet in pregnancy
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Published on: March 13, 2014
P Ghosh1, D Bitsanis, K Ghebremeskel
1Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK.
Insights
Maternal high saturated fat intake during pregnancy impaired vascular function in adult female offspring. This was linked to abnormal plasma lipids and reduced essential fatty acids in blood vessels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- In utero environmental disturbances are linked to adult cardiovascular disease risk.
- Maternal diet during pregnancy can significantly impact offspring health outcomes.
- High saturated fat intake is a growing global dietary concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of maternal high saturated fat diet on offspring vascular function.
- To determine if abnormal vascular function is associated with altered plasma lipids and vascular fatty acid profiles.
- To assess the impact of the in utero environment on adult cardiovascular health.
Main Methods:
- Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control (4% fat) or high saturated fat (20% fat) diet before and during pregnancy.
- Offspring were maintained on a standard diet until 160 days of age.
- Vascular reactivity (endothelium-dependent relaxation) and plasma/aortic fatty acid composition were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Offspring of dams fed a high saturated fat diet exhibited blunted endothelium-dependent relaxation in femoral arteries.
- These offspring had elevated plasma triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- Aortic fatty acid analysis revealed a significant decrease in arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids.
Conclusions:
- Maternal high saturated fat diet during pregnancy induces lasting vascular dysfunction in female offspring.
- The observed vascular abnormalities are associated with dyslipidemia and altered vascular fatty acid composition.
- This study highlights the critical role of maternal nutrition in programming offspring cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
1. Disturbances of the in utero environment are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In this study we have determined whether abnormal vascular function in the adult offspring of rats fed a high saturated fat diet in pregnancy is associated with altered plasma lipids or vascular fatty acid content. 2. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a breeding diet (4 % fat) or a diet high in saturated fat (20 % fat) for 10 days prior to and throughout pregnancy, and during weaning. Female offspring were then fed a maintenance diet (3 % fat) until 160 days of age. 3. Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine was blunted in isolated branches of the femoral artery from 160-day-old female offspring of dams fed the saturated fat diet when compared with female offspring of dams fed the breeding diet. These offspring exhibited elevated plasma triglyceride and reduced plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. 4. The fatty acid composition of the aortas was abnormal, with a marked reduction in the content of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. 5. This study demonstrates that a high fat diet in pregnant rats produces abnormal vascular function, plasma lipid disturbances and altered vascular fatty acid content in their female offspring during adulthood.
