Long-term effects of trans fatty acid intake during pregnancy and lactation: does it have deleterious consequences?

Abstract

Evaluation of: Pisani LP, Oller do Nascimento CM, Bueno AA et al.: Hydrogenated fatdiet intake during pregnancy and lactation modifies the PAI-1 gene expression in whiteadipose tissue of offspring in adult life. Lipids Health Dis. 7, 13 (2008). Placental transferof lipid moieties is relatively low compared with other nutrients, but alterations of lipid components at the maternal site during pregnancy and/or lactation may have negative long-term consequences in the offspring. Industrial hydrogenation of edible oils producestrans fatty acids (TFAs). TFAs enhance inflammatory markers and insulin resistance, cross theplacenta and interfere in the conversion of essential fatty acids into their long-chainderivatives, which are critical in perinatal development. Pisani et al. have described thatadult offspring of rats fed a TFA-rich diet during pregnancy and lactation, and exposed tothe same diet after weaning, have increased serum insulin and adiponectin, body fat andadipose tissue PAI-1 mRNA. The experimental design used does not allow the mechanism(s)involved to be established, but recognition of the deleterious consequences of the intake ofTFAs during pregnancy and lactation contributes to the public awareness for reducing theconsumption of foods containing partially hydrogenated fats.

Keywords:

• Adipose Tissue
• Fetal Programming
• Insulin Resistance
• Lactation
• Obesity
• PAI-1
• Pregnancy
• Trans Fatty Acids