Abstract
Objectives
Vitamin A (VA) is a key regulator of obesity development and associated metabolic complications in adults. The aim of this study is to assess the impacts of VA supplementation during suckling and post-weaning periods on the adipose tissue (AT) development in rats reared by mothers consuming a high-fat diet (HFD).
Methods
Four Sprague-Dawley rats arrived on their 2nd day of gestation. After 3 days of acclimation, they were randomized to either a normal-fat diet (NFD = 25% fat) with adequate VA at 2.6 mg/kg (n = 2) or a HFD (50% fat) with the same amount of VA (n = 2). Upon delivery, pups were transferred to achieve a same number of n = 11/litter. Two mother rats, one from each group, were switched to a NFD and a HFD both with supplemented VA at 129 mg/kg (NFD + VA and HFD + VA), respectively. The other two remained on their diets with adequate VA through lactation (NFD and HFD). At postnatal day 14 (P14) and P25, 4 pups/litter were euthanized with body weight (BW), visceral white AT (WAT) mass, and brown AT (BAT) mass recorded. Serum samples from P25 necropsy were analyzed for glucose, lipids, leptin, adiponectin, and inflammatory biomarkers. At P25, the rest weanling pups (n = 3/group) were fed the diets as their respective mothers until they were euthanized at P35.
Results
At P14 and P25, the BW and WAT mass of pups in the HFD group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in the NFD groups. Comparatively, these measures were significantly reduced in the HFD + VA group as compared to the HFD litter. A similar pattern of change in WAT mass was observed at P35. Additionally, at P25, the BAT mass of pups was significantly reduced by the maternal HFD, but VA supplement restored the level to that in the NFD groups. Serum analysis from P25 revealed a significantly higher adiponectin level in the HFD + VA group. In contrast, VA supplement showed a trend to reduce the glucose and leptin levels that were raised by the maternal HFD consumption.
Conclusions
Results support a regulatory role of VA supplementation during suckling and post-weaning period in the AT development in offspring from mothers consuming a HFD as evidenced by reduced BW and WAT mass, increased BAT mass, and modulation of adipokines. Future analysis will be conducted to study the mechanisms by which VA may impact the adipogenesis, WAT browning, and AT secretory functions.
Funding Sources
NIH.
Effects of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin(TCDD) on the Vitamin A Status of Hartley Guinea Pigs, Sprague-Dawley Rats, C57B1/6 Mice, DBA/2 Mice, and Golden Syrian Hamsters.