Safflower Oil Intake During Pregnancy and Lactation Changes Biochemical Parameters of Weaning Rats

Abstract

During gestation and lactation, maternal lipid metabolism switches to a catabolic state. These changes seem to be mainly conducted by insulin resistance and an increase of circulating estrogens. On the other hand, risks of modifying maternal dietary fat intake during pregnancy and/or lactation are not yet completely established. To evaluate how the consumption of safflower oil during pregnancy and lactation may interfere with glucose and lipid metabolism, we used (n=10) primiparous female rats fed with two different diets according to the AIN-93G:(1)Control (CG) receiving a diet with 7% of soybean oil and (2)Safflower Group (SG) fed the 7% safflower oil diet. Diets were offered from the 14th day of gestation until the end of lactation. The weaning rats were anesthetized and then euthanized after 12 hours of fasting. Blood samples were collected and the levels of plasma glucose were measured using an ACCU-Chek® glucometer; total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol were evaluated by Labtest® enzymatic kit. Atherogenic index was calculated as log(TG/HDL-C). Data analysis (CG versus SG) showed similar results (mean±SD) for total cholesterol, HDL-C and atherogenic index. SG demonstrated a decreased blood glucose (167 ± 24.58 x 247 ± 27.07 ) and triglycerides (50.9 ± 3.28 x 73.74± 5.5) as compared to CG (P <0.05). Safflower oil dietary intake during pregnancy and lactation does alter carbohydrate metabolism and modify levels of triglyceride in weaning rats. Study in conformance with: the FASEB Statement and the Institutional Ethics Committee for Animal Research (no. 0407/13 Cbiotec-UFPB)