Effect of reduced maternal protein consumption during pregnancy in the rat on plasma lipid concentrations and expression of peroxisomal proliferator–activated receptors in the liver and adipose tissue of the offspring

Abstract

The effect of protein consumption during pregnancy on peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression and plasma lipid concentrations in the offspring were determined in the rat. Rats were fed isocaloric diets containing either 18% (w/w) (control) or 9% (w/w) casein throughout pregnancy, and chow during lactation. Maternal protein intake did not alter fetal hepatic PPARα and γ expression at 20/21 days gestation ( n = 5/group). Liver PPARα expression was 69% greater ( P < 0.0001) in the 9% group, whereas PPARγ was not altered, in the offspring 6 days after weaning ( n = 5/group). Adipose PPARγ expression was 59% lower ( P < 0.01) in the 9% group after weaning. This was accompanied by an increase (35%, P < 0.02) in plasma triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations (55%, ( P < 0.01) in the 9% group after weaning. These data show that maternal protein intake during pregnancy alters the regulation of PPAR expression, which represents a potential mechanism to explain impaired lipid homeostasis in the offspring.