Influência da dislipidemia parental sobre a saúde intestinal, parâmetros bioquímicos, somáticos e comportamentais da prole

Abstract

Foetal programming refers to the enduring impact of exposure to stimuli during critical periods of development on the body's structure and function, owing to its plasticity and sensitivity to environmental changes. This study assessed the effects of a high-fat diet in parental rats and its influence on the intestinal health, biochemical, somatic, and behavioural parameters of their offspring from early life to adulthood. Forty Wistar rats, approximately 90 days old, were randomised into four groups based on the diet provided to the parents: control fathers and mothers (CF/CM, n = 10); fathers fed a high-fat diet and control mothers (HF/CM, n = 10); control fathers and mothers fed a high-fat diet (CF/HM, n = 10); and both parents fed a high-fat diet (HF/HM, n = 10). Food intake and body mass were monitored weekly. From birth to weaning, reflex and somatic development parameters of the offspring were recorded. Anxiety-like behaviour was evaluated using the open field test and elevated plus maze in both parents and offspring at 30 and 90 days. Faecal samples were collected for analysis of bacterial groups and organic acids, organs were collected for histological analysis, and blood samples were taken for lipid and glycaemic profiling. Offspring in the HF/CM group exhibited delayed somatic maturation, particularly in the eruption of lower incisors. The HF/HM group showed delayed epidermal hair emergence and earlier auditory canal opening. The HF/CM group also displayed delays in palmar grasp, righting reflex, and negative geotaxis, but showed an earlier startle response. At 30 and 90 days, HF/HM offspring demonstrated increased faecal boli number and more time spent rearing, freezing, and grooming, with reduced time in open arms and increased time in closed arms of the elevated plus maze, indicative of anxiety-like behaviour in rodents. Regarding body weight, HF/CM, CF/HM, and HF/HM groups exhibited low birth weight followed by excessive weight gain (30 to 90 days) and hyperphagia (HF/HM). HF/CM, CF/HM, and HF/HM offspring showed elevated average levels of total cholesterol (TC) (308 mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (70 mg/dL), and reduced HDL cholesterol (49 mg/dL). Male breeders fed a highfat diet and 90-day-old HF/HM offspring had lower counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, with increased Bacteroides and Enterobacteriaceae. High-fat diet breeders showed reduced faecal propionic acid concentration, whereas HF/CM and CF/HM offspring (90 days) had increased levels. At 30 days, HF/HM offspring had lower concentrations of cerebral polyunsaturated fatty acids (48.11±0.55g/100g). Females on a high-fat diet exhibited focal and intense labelling, while HF/CM and HF/HM offspring showed pronounced, multifocal, and intense NF-kB labelling in the cerebral cortex, indicating inflammatory processes. A parental high-fat diet negatively impacts intrauterine and postnatal development, adiposity, metabolic and intestinal health, and neurodevelopment in male offspring, being even more anxiogenic when both parents follow the same dietary pattern.