Maternal undernutrition reduces aortic wall thickness and elastin content in offspring rats without altering...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Developmental Nutrition
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Epidemiological studies link early nutrition to adult coronary artery disease.
• Fetal and infant nutrition significantly impact long-term health outcomes.
• Understanding these early influences is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of altered nutrition during gestation, lactation, and juvenile life on aortic structure and function in rats.
• To determine if maternal or early postnatal dietary changes impact aortic wall thickness, elastin content, and vascular reactivity.
• To elucidate the role of early nutrition in the development of adult cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rat dams were fed control or low-protein diets during pregnancy and/or lactation.
• Offspring were weaned onto control, low-protein, or high-fat diets.
• Aortic sections were analyzed for media thickness and elastin content.
• Vascular reactivity was assessed using organ bath studies with acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside.

Main Results:

• Maternal protein restriction in utero significantly decreased aortic wall thickness (P=0.005).
• Both maternal and early postnatal low-protein diets reduced aortic elastin content (P=0.02 and P=0.01, respectively).
• No significant changes in aortic dilator function were observed with any dietary manipulation.

Conclusions:

• Fetal undernutrition in rats, induced by maternal low-protein diet, reduces aortic wall thickness and elastin content.
• These structural vascular changes occur without altering aortic dilator function.
• Early nutritional deficits may exacerbate age-related vascular changes, contributing to cardiovascular disease pathophysiology.