Maternal Obesity and Hepatic Function in Offspring
Author Information
Author(s): Dudley Kevin J., Sloboda Deborah M., Connor Kristin L., Beltrand Jacques, Vickers Mark H.
Primary Institution: Liggins Institute and the National Research Centre for Growth and Development, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Hypothesis
A maternal high fat diet leads to altered regulation of liver development in offspring.
Conclusion
Offspring born to mothers fed a high fat diet show early signs of hepatic dysfunction and are likely predisposed to long-term metabolic issues.
Supporting Evidence
- Offspring of mothers on a high fat diet were smaller at birth and showed signs of metabolic syndrome.
- Significant G0/G1 arrest was observed in the livers of offspring born to high fat diet mothers.
- Altered DNA methylation patterns were found in the Cdkn1a gene in the livers of these offspring.
Takeaway
If a mother eats a lot of fat while pregnant, her babies might have problems with their liver that can make them sick later in life.
Methodology
Livers were collected from male offspring of control and high fat diet mothers at postnatal days 2 and 27, and cell cycle dynamics were measured by flow cytometry.
Limitations
The study used a mixed cell population from whole liver homogenates, which may mask cell-type specific effects.
Participant Demographics
Male offspring of Wistar rats.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website