Abstract
BackgroundMaternal dietary choices throughout preconception, pregnancy, and lactation irreversibly affect the development of fetal tissues and organs, known as fetal programming. Recommendations tend to emphasize reducing added sugars. However, the impact of maternal dietary free or bound fructose in added sugars on developmental programming of lipogenesis is unknown.MethodsVirgin Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats were given feed and plain water (control) or water containing maltodextrin (vehicle), fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) containing 55% fructose, sucrose (20% w/v) for 12 weeks before mating and throughout the pregnancy and lactation periods. Body weight, water, and feed intake were measured throughout the study. At the end of the lactation period, blood was drawn to determine the fasting levels of glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood. Triglycerides and acetyl Co-A Carboxylase-1 (ACC1) levels in livers were analyzed, and insulin resistance was calculated.ResultsThe energy intake of dams in the HFCS group was higher than in the fructose group, while weight gain was less in the HFCS group than in the fructose group. HFCS resulted in greater insulin resistance in dams, whereas free fructose had a robust effect on the fetal programming of insulin resistance. Free fructose and HFCS in the maternal diet increased blood and liver triglycerides and NEFA content in pups. Furthermore, fructose and HFCS exposure increased phosphorylated ACC1 as compared to maltodextrin and control, indicating greater fatty acid synthesis in pups and dams.ConclusionDifferent types of added sugar in the maternal diet have different metabolic effects on the developmental programming of lipogenesis. Consequently, high fructose intake via processed foods may increase the risk for chronic diseases, and free fructose might contribute to developmental programming of chronic diseases more than bound fructose.
Highlights
Maternal dietary choices throughout preconception, pregnancy, and lactation irreversibly affect the development of fetal tissues and organs, known as fetal programming
The high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose groups consumed more of the water with added sugar than the maltodextrin group (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the water intake of the fructose and maltodextrin groups
In this study, we showed an adverse effect of free fructose on body weight, plasma glucose, insulin responses, and liver lipogenesis parameters, as compared to bound fructose, in both dams and their pups
Summary
Maternal dietary choices throughout preconception, pregnancy, and lactation irreversibly affect the development of fetal tissues and organs, known as fetal programming. The impact of maternal dietary free or bound fructose in added sugars on developmental programming of lipogenesis is unknown. High levels of intake of added sugar has been connected to many chronic diseases i.e. obesity [1], metabolic syndrome [2], type II diabetes mellitus [3], cardiovascular diseases [4] and fatty liver diseases [5]. Exposure to a Independent of the amount consumed, the type of added sugar (sucrose, syrups etc.) might have a significant impact on the metabolic outcome. High intake of simple sugars might increase de novo lipogenesis, influence triglyceride production, and decrease fatty acid oxidation [10]. A main component of added sugar, contributes more to lipid biosynthesis as compared to glucose [11]. Fructose bypasses the step requiring phosphofructokinase and does not
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
