Maternal high-fat diet impacts endothelial function in nonhuman primate offspring.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Developmental Biology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Maternal under-nutrition's link to offspring cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known.
• The impact of maternal over-nutrition on offspring cardiovascular health is unclear.
• This study investigates maternal high-fat/calorie diet (HFD) effects on offspring endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the impact of maternal HFD exposure on offspring endothelial function.
• To assess cardiovascular and metabolic changes in offspring exposed to maternal HFD.
• To evaluate the role of early programming and postweaning diet on offspring cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

• Nonhuman primates were exposed to control (CTR) or HFD during pregnancy and early postnatal periods.
• Offspring were maintained on CTR or HFD, or switched diets postweaning.
• Vascular function, plasma insulin, glucose levels, and arterial morphology were assessed at 13 months of age.

Main Results:

• Maternal HFD offspring (HFD/HFD) showed increased insulin and impaired vasorelaxation in the abdominal aorta.
• HFD/HFD offspring exhibited thicker intima walls and abnormal vascular morphology with elevated inflammation markers.
• Diet-switched offspring showed modest vascular damage, suggesting partial reversibility.

Conclusions:

• Maternal HFD exposure during critical developmental periods significantly impairs offspring endothelial function.
• Both early developmental programming and postweaning diet influence offspring cardiovascular abnormalities.
• Dietary intervention postweaning can partially ameliorate the negative cardiovascular consequences of maternal HFD exposure.