Interesterified Fat or Palm Oil as Substitutes for Trans Fat in Maternal Diet Can Predispose Obesity and Inflammation in Adult Male Offspring

Abstract

Knowing the harmful effects of trans fatty acids, Palm oil (PO) and interesterified fat (IF) have been used by the food industry as substitutes for partially hydrogenated fat (PHF). We investigated metabolic effects of maternal intake of these fats in the adult offspring. C57BL/6 dams received, during pregnancy and lactation, normolipidic diets with soybean oil (CG), PHF (TG), PO (PG) or IF (IG). After weaning, pups were fed with control diet. At 90 days, male offspring's adiposity was quantified by micro computed tomography (micro-CT) and the inguinal (IWAT), epididymal (EWAT), retroperitoneal (RPWAT) and mesenteric (MWAT) adipose fat pads were removed. Adipocyte areas and cell number were analyzed by histology. Fatty acid profile of the pups' brains was measured by gas chromatography. Brain functional capillary density as the leukocyte-endothelial interactions was assessed by intravital fluorescence microscopy. PG and IG gained more weight in the first 10 weeks after weaning, with higher final body weights. IG and PG had respectively heavier EWAT and IWAT than TG and CG. Total volumes of internal, external and total fat depots were greater in IG. Larger adipocyte areas were seen in EWAT in IG and IWAT in TG. PG showed increased adipocyte number in IWAT. At day 90, PG had higher brain levels of saturated fatty acids and lower polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. Data showed altered brain microcirculation, with increased leukocyte rolling in TG, PG and IG and greater leukocyte adhesion in TG, compared to CG. Maternal intake of IF or PO during pregnancy and lactation in mice program the offspring to obesity and influence brain inflammatory status in adult life.