Maternal low protein diet in rats programmes fatty acid desaturase activities in the offspring

Numerous studies show an association between poor fetal growth and adult insulin resistance. Recent studies have shown relation between the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle membranes and insulin sensitivity. More detailed analysis has indicated that the activity of delta5 desaturase is inversely correlated to insulin resistance. The amount of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3) is also thought to play a part in determining insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that early growth retardation in the rat, as a result of maternal protein restriction, would lead to alterations in desaturase activities similar to those observed in human insulin resistance. There were no differences in phospholipid fatty acid composition in liver or muscle from control and low protein rats. In both muscle and liver the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to docosapentaenoic acid was, however, reduced in low protein offspring. Direct measurement of delta5 desaturase activity in hepatic microsomes showed a reduction (p < 0.03) in the low protein offspring which was negatively correlated (r = -0.855) with fasting plasma insulin. No correlation was observed in controls. These results show that it is possible to programme the activity of key enzymes involved in the desaturation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. This is possibly a mechanism linking fetal growth retardation to insulin resistance.