Metabolic programming in offspring of mice fed fructose during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Fructose (C6H12O6), also known as levulose, is a hexose. Chronic consumption of fructose may be associated with increased intrahepatic fat concentration and the development of insulin resistance as well as an increase in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hyperlipidemia during pregnancy. Despite the existence of many studies regarding the consumption of fructose in pregnancy, its effects on fetuses have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic and biochemical effects in offspring (male and female) of female mice treated with fructose during pregnancy and lactation. Pairs of 60-day-old Swiss mice were used and divided into three groups; negative control and fructose, 10%/l and 20%/l doses of fructose groups. After offspring birth, the animals were divided into six groups: P1 and P2 (males and females), water; P3 and P4 (males and females) fructose 10%/l; and P5 and P6 (males and females) fructose 20%/l. At 30 days of age, the animals were euthanized for genetic and biochemical assessments. Female and male offspring from both dosage groups demonstrated genotoxicity (evaluated through comet assay) and oxidative stress (evaluated through nitrite concentration, sulfhydril content and superoxide dismutase activity) in peripheral and brain tissues. In addition, they showed nutritional and metabolic changes due to the increase in food consumption, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, it is suggested that high consumption of fructose by pregnant female is harmful to their offspring. Thus, it is important to carry out further studies and make pregnant women aware of excessive fructose consumption during this period.

Maternal exercise during pregnancy modulates genetic and biochemical damage caused by high consumption of fructose in blood and liver of offspring

“…It is known that fructose can increase body weight in offspring, as observed in our previous study by Magenis et al (2022), where the offspring were followed up to 30 days of age and an increase in body weight was observed. Furthermore, it is suggested, as observed in our current study, that physical exercise can reduce intrahepatic lipids and abdominal fat with or without weight loss (Thyfault and Rector, 2020).…”

The Impact of Excessive Fructose Intake on Adipose Tissue and the Development of Childhood Obesity

“…The impact of fructose consumption during pregnancy and the impact on fetal metabolic programming is of particular concern. Animal studies have shown that the offspring of mice fed fructose (via fructose syrup) during pregnancy and lactation consumed more food and gained more weight than controls [125,126]. Furthermore, offspring from the mice fed a high-fructose diet showed evidence of DNA damage in blood, liver, kidney, and brain [125] or induced dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia [126], all suggestive of increased long-term susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease.…”

“…Animal studies have shown that the offspring of mice fed fructose (via fructose syrup) during pregnancy and lactation consumed more food and gained more weight than controls [125,126]. Furthermore, offspring from the mice fed a high-fructose diet showed evidence of DNA damage in blood, liver, kidney, and brain [125] or induced dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia [126], all suggestive of increased long-term susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease. High fructose consumption during pregnancy and lactation was also associated with hypertension in offspring during adulthood, thought to be due to fetal renal programming [127].…”

Impact of Excessive Fructose Intake on the Adipose Tissue and Development of Childhood Obesity

“…The impact of fructose consumption during pregnancy and the impact on fetal metabolic programming is of particular concern. Animal studies have shown that the offspring of mice fed fructose (via fructose syrup), during pregnancy and lactation, consumed more food and gained more weight than controls [131,132]. Furthermore, offspring from the mice fed a high fructose diet, showed evidence of DNA damage in blood, liver, kidney, and brain [131], or induced dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia [132]; all suggestive of increased long-term susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease.…”

“…Animal studies have shown that the offspring of mice fed fructose (via fructose syrup), during pregnancy and lactation, consumed more food and gained more weight than controls [131,132]. Furthermore, offspring from the mice fed a high fructose diet, showed evidence of DNA damage in blood, liver, kidney, and brain [131], or induced dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia [132]; all suggestive of increased long-term susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease. High fructose consumption during pregnancy and lactation was also associated with hypertension in offspring during adulthood; thought to be due to fetal renal programming [133].…”