Intrauterine food restriction impairs the lipogenesis process in the mesenteric adipocytes from low-birth-weight rats into adulthood

Author(s)

Andreotti, Sandra ; Komino, Ayumi Cristina Medeiros ; de Fatima Silva, Flaviane ; Ramos, Ana Paula Almeida ; Gil, Noemi Lourenco ; Azevedo, Gabriela Araujo ; Sertie, Rogerio Antonio Laurato ; Lima, Fabio Bessa ; Landgraf, Richardt Gama ; Landgraf, Maristella Almeida

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY; v. 14, p. 12-pg., 2023-10-31.

Abstract

BackgroundIntrauterine food restriction (IFR) during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight (LBW) and obesity in adulthood. It is known that white adipose tissue (WAT) plays critical metabolic and endocrine functions; however, this tissue's behavior before weight gain and obesity into adulthood is poorly studied. Thus, we evaluated the repercussions of IFR on the lipogenesis and lipolysis processes in the offspring and described the effects on WAT inflammatory cytokine production and secretion.MethodsWe induced IFR by providing gestating rats with 50% of the necessary chow daily amount during all gestational periods. After birth, we monitored the offspring for 12 weeks. The capacity of isolated fat cells from mesenteric white adipose tissue (meWAT) to perform lipogenesis (14C-labeled glucose incorporation into lipids) and lipolysis (with or without isoproterenol) was assessed. The expression levels of genes linked to these processes were measured by real-time PCR. In parallel, Multiplex assays were conducted to analyze pro-inflammatory markers, such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, in the meWAT.ResultsTwelve-week-old LBW rats presented elevated serum triacylglycerol (TAG) content and attenuated lipogenesis and lipolysis compared to control animals. Inflammatory cytokine levels were increased in the meWAT of LBW rats, evidenced by augmented secretion by adipocytes and upregulated gene and protein expression by the tissue. However, there were no significant alterations in the serum cytokines content from the LBW group. Additionally, liver weight, TAG content in the hepatocytes and serum glucocorticoid levels were increased in the LBW group.ConclusionThe results demonstrate that IFR throughout pregnancy yields LBW offspring characterized by inhibited lipogenesis and lipolysis and reduced meWAT lipid storage at 12 weeks. The increased serum TAG content may contribute to the augmented synthesis and secretion of pro-inflammatory markers detected in the LBW group. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/05242-9 - Role of adipocytes of the perivascular region in inflammation in low birth weight rats, induced by maternal food restriction
• Grantee: Maristella de Almeida Vitta Landgraf
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/25129-4 - Iatrogenic Chronic Hypercortisolism and its implications to the adipose tissue plasticity an analysis of the dynamics of adipose tissue distribution in an experimental model of Cushing's Syndrome
• Grantee: Fabio Bessa Lima
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/16020-4 - Role of high concentration of maternal corticosterone and possible epigenetic changes in acute lung inflammation of low birth weight rats
• Grantee: Richardt Gama Landgraf
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants