Maternal high-fat diet increases anhedonic behavior and modulates hippocampal Mash1 and BDNF expression in adult offspring

Author(s):Show less -

Curi, Haidar Tafner ^[1] ; Dias, Clarissa Tavares ^[1] ; Monteiro da Luz Camargo, Maria Laura ^[1] ; Gomez, Paula dos Santos ^[1] ; Pereira Gomes, Moises Felipe ^[2] ; Araujo Beserra-Filho, Jose Ivo ^[3] ; Medeiros, Alessandra ^[2] ; Ribeiro, Alessandra Mussi ^[3] ; Simabuco, Fernando Moreira ^[4] ; Lambertucci, Rafael Herling ^[1] ; Mendes-da-Silva, Cristiano ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Lab Neurosci & Nutr, Dept Biosci, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biosci, Lab Expt Phys Training, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biosci, Lab Neurosci & Bioprospecting Nat Prod, Santos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Sch Appl Sci FCA, Multidisciplinary Lab Food & Hlth LabMAS, Limeira, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Neuroscience Letters; v. 764, NOV 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background: The consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) during pregnancy and perinatal periods can lead to long-term effects in the offspring central nervous system, affecting pathways related to neurogenesis and behavior, and increasing predispositions to depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a maternal HFD on the hippocampi of adult offspring and behaviors related to anxiety and depression. Methods: The protein and mRNA expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Mash1, Notch1, Hes5, serotonin transporter (SERT), 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor (5-HT1A), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2, key enzyme of serotonin synthesis), JNK and pJNK were analyzed in the hippocampi of male Swiss mice. Hippocampal serotonin levels were measured using ELISA. The lipid peroxidation, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and GSH/GSSG were evaluated as oxidative stress measures. For the behavioral analysis, the open field, elevated plus maze, and sucrose preference tests were used. Results: Maternal HFD led to increased body weight in dams and their offspring, as well as altered body composition and LDL levels in the offspring. There were no alterations in oxidative stress or JNK phosphorylation. Hippocampal Mash1 and BDNF expression were altered in HFD offspring. The HFD offspring exhibited anhedonic behavior. Conclusion: These findings suggest that maternal HFD leads to long-term alterations in the offspring's neurotrophic systems, impairing their behavior. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/08441-1 - Effects of high-fat diet on proteins of the inflammatory pathway and from serotonergic system: study in vivo in mice offspring's hippocampus and in vitro in neuroblasts (neuro-2a cells)
• Grantee: Clarissa Tavares Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 18/10380-9 - Effects of maternal high fat diet on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory pathway proteins and biomarkers oxidative stress in hippocampus of adult offspring of mice
• Grantee: Paula dos Santos Gomez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/26146-4 - Assessment of early exposure to high-fat diet on protein involved in neurogenesis: studies, in vivo in hippocampus of adult mice and in vitro in neuroblast
• Grantee: Cristiano Mendes da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants