Early exposure of dams to a westernized diet has long-term consequences on food intake and physiometabolic homeostasis of the rat offspring

Abstract

This study evaluated the long-term effects of a westernized diet during pregnancy and lactation. Female Wistar rats (n = 12) were divided into two groups according to their food intake, namely, control (C) or westernized (W) diet, throughout pregnancy/lactation. On the 21st day, the male pups were weaned on a standard diet as follows: Control diet (CC) (n = 8) and westernized diet in perinatal life followed by control diet post weaning (WC) (n = 8). The levels of fasting (12 h) serum glucose, triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol and fraction in the pups were determined. During weaning, the WC group showed 14% greater body weight (p < 0.001). In the adulthood, the offspring from dams fed on westernized diet showed hyperphagia, hyperinsulinism, hypertriglyceridemia, higher fat visceral weight, higher very-low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol level, decreased high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol level, and altered glucose tolerance test. In conclusion, maternal western-style diet in early life altered long-term food intake, visceral fat pad, insulin, glucose and lipid serum, and increased risk of metabolic disorders.

• Adulthood
• food intake
• glucose and lipid profile
• rat
• western-style diet

Author contributions

EN and TCFC designed the study and analyzed and interpreted the data. AAMS, LCAA, APJM, and MCAL revised the article critically for important intellectual content. EN wrote and conceived the study. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.