Influence of fatty acids in maternal diet on atherogenesis in offspring of LDL receptor-deficient mice

• Published in: International journal of clinical and experimental medicine Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 56 - 63
• Main Authors: de Oliveira Cipriano Torres, Dilênia, Santos, Ana Célia Oliveira Dos, Silva, Amanda Karolina Soares E, de Moura, Patrícia Muniz Mendes Freire, Beltrão, Eduardo Isidoro Carneiro, Peixoto, Christina Alves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States e-Century Publishing Corporation 01.01.2012
• Subjects: Original; atherogenesis; offspring; MCP-1; VCAM-1; maternal hypercholesterolemia; omega-6; blood lipids; omega-9; Maternal nutrition
• ISSN: 1940-5901

The present study investigated the effect of a maternal diet rich in omega-6 (E6D) or omega-9 (E9D) on atherogenesis in the offspring of mice. LDL receptor-deficient mice were fed a diet rich in either omega-6 (E6D) or omega-9 (E9D) for 45 days prior to mating and until the birth of the offspring, evaluating the effect on the offspring aorta in comparison to a standard diet (STD), by immunohistochemical analysis, morphometric analysis and electron microscopy. Hypercholesterolemic female mice fed E6D generated offspring with high levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and CC-chemokine ligand 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (CCL2/ MCP-1) as well as a reduction in high-density lipoprotein. The ascending aorta of these animals exhibited an increase in arterial wall thickness as well as increased expression of CCL2/MCP-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. The ultrastructural analysis revealed severe alterations in endothelial cells. The offspring from mothers fed E9D exhibited a reduction in TG and an increase in low-density lipoprotein. The ultrastructural analysis revealed a well-preserved aortic endothelium in these animals. The results suggest that hypercholesterolemic mothers feed a diet rich in omega-6 predispose their offspring to endothelial dysfunction.