Dieta de cafeteria durante a lactação e/ou pós-lactação: alterações metabólicas e comportamentais na prole de ratos Wistar

Abstract

There is evidence that diets composed of high levels of energy, sugars and lipids contribute to the development of obesity, various chronic-degenerative diseases, as well as behavioral changes and cognitive deficits. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to cafeteria diet during lactation and / or post-lactation on physiological and behavioral parameters. Male Wistar rats (n = 60) were randomized into four groups: Control (C), Lactation Cafeteria (CL), Post-lactation Cafeteria (CP) and Total Cafeteria (CT). Upon reaching sexual maturity (70 days), the animals were submitted to behavioral tests: Elevated Plus Maze test (LCE), open field, Morris Water Maze (LAM), memory recognition test for objects related to location and specific context, and the recognition memory test for twodimensional objects. In addition, the evaluation of murine parameters and biochemical parameters (glycemia, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, total proteins, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, transaminases and oxidative stress) were performed. Consumption and food preference, organ weight and abdominal fat were measured, and histopathological and biochemical evaluation of the liver was performed. Liver histopathology data were submitted to the Chi-Square test, while the other data were submitted to ANOVA, followed by the Newman-Keuls test (p <0.05). The cafeteria diet altered the mutrinometric parameters in the animals, with accumulation of fat, and greater weight measures compared to the control group, mainly at the end of the experiment. The animals in the CL and CT groups consumed a greater amount of diet than the CP and C groups. The CT group presented higher calorie and carbohydrate consumption than the other groups. The animals of the CP and CT groups presented higher lipid consumption than the C and CL groups during all weeks of the experiment. Protein and fiber intake was lower in CP and CT than in group C. Carbohydrate sources were preferred, including corn flakes and bread. Triglyceride levels were higher in the CP group than in the other groups. MDA levels were higher in the CP and CT groups than CL and C. The cafeteria diet altered the liver structure with the presence of hepatic steatosis, and oxidative stress in that tissue. The animals of the CP and CT groups had higher levels of anxiety compared to the C and CL groups. No significant differences were observed due to diet in locomotor and exploratory behaviors, spatial learning and memory. Thus, the cafeteria diet was able to promote alterations on the metabolic parameters and has an anxiogenic effect in the offspring of Wistar rats.