Effect of Glutathione on Lipogenesis in Liver Slices from Rats Fed on Low Casein Diet

To study the mechanism of fatty infiltration in the liver due to added sulfur-containing amino acids to low casein diet, the effect of sulfur-containing amino acids and glutathione (GSH) on the incorporation of acetate-l-¹⁴C into lipid fractions were studied in liver slices from rats fed on 8% casein diet (Basal diet) with or without added methionine (Met).

The liver acetyl Co A carboxylase activities of rats on basal diet with or without added Met were similar.

Addition of Met, cystine or cysteine to the incubation medium had little effect on lipogenesis of slices. On addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on basal diet, lipid formation increased appreciably. On the other hand, addition of GSH to liver slices from rats fed on Met supplemented diet showed no accelerative effect on lipogenesis.

Addition of GSH to the incubation medium of liver slices from rats fed on basal diet tended to reduce the incorporation of acetate into the phospholipid fraction and to increase into the fatty acid fraction of liver slices.

The content of liver GSH was lower in rats on basal diet than in those on Met supplemented diet. The higher GSH level in rats on Met supplemented diet may be one factor causing fatty infiltration in the liver of these animals.     

Triglyceride Release and Fatty Acid Oxidation by the Perfused Liver of Rats Fed a Low Protein Diet

Livers of growing rats fed a 5 or 20 protein calories percent (PC %) diet containing purified whole egg protein for three weeks were perfused in situ and the release of triglycerides (TG) and the oxidation of fatty acid by the liver alone were estimated by infusing palmitic acid-l-¹⁴C to the perfusion medium.

The release of TG from the liver of the 5 PC% group was significantly lower in both unfractionated perfusate plasma and perfusate plasma very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) than that of the 20 PC% group, whereas the content of liver TG of the 5 PC% group was higher than that of the 20 PC% group. Significantly lower radioactivity appeared in TG of both unfractionated perfusate plasma and perfusate plasma VLDL of the 5 PC% group than that of the 20 PC% group, while total radioactivity of liver TG was higher in the 5 PC% group than in the 20 PC% group. The ¹⁴CO₂ production in the perfused liver of the 5 PC% group increased gradually with time rather than decreased in comparison with that of the 20 PC% group.

These findings suggest that a major factor responsible for the liver lipid accumulation in rats fed the low protein diet is not an impaired fatty acid oxidation in the liver but an impaired secretion of TG from the liver.     

Lipid Metabolism in the Fatty Liver of Rats Fed a Threonine-deficient Diet

Feeding of a threonine-deficient diet to rats weighing approximately 53 g or 99 g caused a significant rise in liver lipids compared to the control diet containing 7% amino acid mixture. Whereas, when rats weighing approximately 155 g were fed either the control diet or the threonine-deficient diet, liver lipid content was essentially the same for both groups. Therefore, in the present paper, young rats were used to clarify the mechanism of liver lipid accumulation in threonine-deficiency. The increase in dietary fat content of the threonine-deficient diet did not prevent the lipid accumulation in rat liver. The rates of in vivo incorporation from radioactive acetate into liver lipids, body lipids and respiratory CO₂ of rats fed either the control diet or the threonine-deficient diet were measured. The threonine-deficient group tended to be lower in total activity of both the liver lipids and body lipids than those of the control group. Thus, these results suggest that the development of this type of fatty liver might not be due to the stimulation of lipid synthesis in the liver. In the serum of rats fed the threonine-deficient diet, the protein content of β-lipoproteins was significantly lower and free fatty acid level tended to be lower than the values of the control animals, respectively. From these results, decreased trasport of lipids from the liver may thus be considered a potential major factor responsible for the excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of rats fed the threonine-deficient diet.     

The Influence of Low Protein Diet on the Composition of Rat Liver Cell Fractions

Rats were divided into high protein diet and low protein diet fed groups. Their livers were removed, homogenized, and fractionated into nuclei, mitochondria, microsome and supernatant fraction.

Amount of total- and phospho-lipids in each fraction was measured, and simultaneously, total nitrogen was measured. Then, the ratio of total- and phospho-lipids to nitrogen was calculated. The influence of low protein diet on this calculated value was seen in the mitochondrial and supernatant fraction but was not recognized in other fractions.

The relationship between this phenomenon and energy efficiency of diets was discussed.     

Alteration in Fatty Acid Composition of Adult Rat Brain Capillaries and Choroid Plexus Induced by a Diet Deficient in n-3 Fatty Acids: Slow Recovery After Substitution with a Nondeficient Diet

Wistar rats were fed for three generations with a semisynthetic diet containing either 1.5% sunflower oil (940 mg% of C18:2n-6, 6 mg% of C18:3n-3) or 1.9% soya oil (940 mg% of C18:2n-6, 130 mg% of C18:3n-3). At 60 days of age, the male offspring of the third generation were killed. The fatty acyl composition of isolated capillaries and choroid plexus was determined. The major changes noted in the fatty acid profile of isolated capillaries were a reduction (threefold) in the level of docosahexaenoic acid and, consequently, a fourfold increase in docosapentaenoic acid in sunflower oil-fed animals. The total percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was close to that in the soya oil-fed rats, but the ratio of n-3/n-6 fatty acids was reduced by threefold. In the choroid plexus, the C22:6n-3 content was also reduced, but by 2.6-fold, whereas the C22:5n-6 content was increased by 2.3-fold and the ratio of n-3/n-6 fatty acids was reduced by 2.4-fold. When the diet of sunflower oil-fed rats was replaced with a diet containing soya oil at 60 days of age, the recovery in content of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids started immediately after diet substitution; it progressed slowly to reach normal values after 2 months for C22:6n-5 and 2.5 months for C22:6n-3. The recovery in altered fatty acids of choroid plexus was also immediate and very fast. Recovery in content of C22:5n-6 and C22:6n-3 was complete by 46 days after diet substitution.     

Characterization of the Influence of Unsaturated Free Fatty Acids on Brain GABA/Benzodiazepine Receptor Binding In Vitro

Abstract: We have investigated the effect of unsaturated free fatty acids (FFAs) on the brain GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex from mammalian, avian, amphibian, and fish species in vitro. Unsaturated FFAs with a carbon chain length between 16 and 22 carbon atoms enhanced [³H]diazepam binding in rat brain membrane preparations, whereas the saturated analogues had no effect. The enhancement of [³H]diazepam binding by oleic acid was independent of the incubation temperature (0-30°C) of the binding assay and not additive to the enhancement by high concentrations of C1. In rat brain preparations, the stimulation of [³H]diazepam binding by oleic acid (10^?4M) was independent of the ontogenetic development. Phylogenetically, large differences were found in the effect of unsaturated FFAs on [³H]diazepam and [³H]muscimol binding: In mammals and amphibians, unsaturated FFAs enhanced both [³H]-muscimol and [³H]diazepam binding to 150-250% of control binding. In 17 fish species studied, oleic acid (10^?4M) stimulation of [³H]diazepam binding was weak (11 species), absent (four species), or reversed to inhibition (two species), whereas stimulation of [³H]muscimol binding was of the same magnitude as in mammals and amphibians. In 10 bird species studied, only weak enhancement of [³H]muscimol binding (110–130% of control) by oleic acid (10^?4M) was found, whereas [³H]diazepam binding enhancement was similar to values in mammal species. Radiation inactivation of the receptor complex in situ from frozen rat cortex showed that the functional target size for oleic acid to stimulate [³H]flunitrazepam binding has a molecular mass of ～200,000 daltons. Our data show that unsaturated FFAs have distinct effects on membranebound GABA/benzodiazepine receptors in vitro.     

Liver Nonprotein Sulfhydryl and Taurine Concentrations,and Fat Content of Rats Fed a Low Protein Diet Supplemented with Sulfur-containing Amino Acids

The relative excess of some catabolites of sulfur-containing amino acids in the liver of rats fed a low protein diet might be one of the factors which cause the liver fat accumulation. To investigate the possibility were studied relationships between changes in concentrations of some metabolites of sulfur-containing amino acids and those in fat contents of rats fed a low protein diet consisting of heated soybean flour, casein or wheat flour with or without added methionine, threonine or lysine. The addition of 0.6% methionine to the 25% heated soybean flour diet increased the nonprotein-sulfhydryl (NP–SH) concentration and fat content in the liver. These changes were prevented by the further addition of 0.5% threonine to the diet, although the NP–SH concentration was remarkably higher than that of rats fed the unsupplemented diet. The addition of 0.6% cystine HC1 to the 25% heated soybean flour diet containing sufficient choline elevated the NP–SH concentration and fat content in the liver, which were not affected by the further addition of 0.5% threonine. The addition of 0.6% cystine HC1 to the 10% casein diet significantly increased the fat content, and NP–SH and taurine concentrations in the liver. The further addition of 0.5 % threonine completely decreased the fat content, and partially reduced the NP–SH and taurine concentrations. Effects of supplementation of 0.4% lysine HC1 to the 70% wheat flour diet on the fat content and NP–SH concentration in the liver demonstrated the trends similar to those of supplementation of cystine to the 10% casein diet. The further addition of threonine remarkably decreased the fat content, NP–SH and taurine concentrations in the liver.     

毛细管气相色谱内标法测定核桃油中的脂肪酸

测定了核桃油的脂肪酸组成,建立了以十七烷酸甲酯为内标物,用毛细管气相色谱同时测定核桃油五种脂肪酸（棕榈酸、硬脂酸、油酸、亚油酸、亚麻酸）的方法。样品经氢氧化钾．甲醇皂化、三氟化硼．甲醇酯化后使生成相应的脂肪酸甲酯,以DM-FFAP毛细管柱分离,火焰离子化检测器测定。用保留时间定性,内标法定量。结果表明,在所选择的条件下,核桃油脂肪酸在10min内能获得较好的分离;五种脂肪酸的峰面积与其质量浓度有良好的线性关系,相关系数均大于0．998;样品加标回收率（n=6）为92．5％-100．3％,相对标准偏差为2．41％-4．31％。该方法操作简便、快速、准确,适合批量样品的测定。     

Free Radicals and Lipid Peroxidation in Liver of Rats Kept on a Diet Devoid of Choline

Rodents kept on a choline devoid (CD) diet up to 14 months develop hepatic lesions progressing through two broad stages. The first is chracterized by severe steatosis and increase in cell turnover, the second by a gradual clearance of the deposited fat and fibrosis. Hepatocellular carcinomas eventually arise in rats fed for over 12 months, even though the animals aer not exposed to chemical carcinogens. It has been suggested that the diet may trigger generated thereby may be responsible for intiation of liver cancer and promotion. The radicals would lead to DNA damage, and the altered DNA in a proliferating liver would result in initiation of the carcinogenic process. In this communication we present evidence that the diet used in the above studies contained stable fatty acid isomers with conjugated dienes, which are absorbed and deposited in rat liver. This finding cast doubts on whether a CD diet does indeed cause a peroxidation of cellular membrane lipids. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy was also used to investigate whether any abnormal pattern of free radicals exists in the liver of rats fed a CD diet. No significant differences were noted in ESR spectra of either transition metal-centered signals, or organic free radicals.     

n-3PUFA对高脂SHR 大鼠血压及血浆游离脂肪酸谱的影响

目的:观察高饱和脂肪酸及n-3多不饱和脂肪酸饮食后对自发性高血压大鼠血压、静息心率、体重、血脂、血糖及游离脂肪酸谱的影响。方法:选择8周龄雄性自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)30只和同龄对照大鼠(WKY)30只,随机分为6组:SHR、WKY普通饲料组各10只,SHR、WKY高脂组各10只,SHR、WKY高脂加鱼油饮食组各10只,持续喂养至16周龄。干预期间每两周测定血压和体重,干预前后测定静息心率、血脂、血糖及血浆游离脂肪酸谱。结果:(1)血压和静息心率的变化:SHR大鼠高脂饮食组较普食组血压水平显著性增高,而高脂加鱼油饮食组较高脂饮食组血压水平显著性减低;WKY大鼠高脂饮食组较普食组血压水平显著性增高,而高脂加鱼油饮食组较高脂饮食组血压水平显著性减低;SHR大鼠高脂饮食组较普食组静息心率显著性增高(P=0.007),而高脂加鱼油饮食组较高脂饮食组静息心率有下降趋势,但差异无显著性(P=0.125),WKY大鼠静息心率各组间无明显差异。(2)血浆游离脂肪酸谱:与WKY大鼠比较,SHR大鼠中亚麻酸(Linolenic acid,ALA)、花生四烯酸(Linoleic Acid,AA)与n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-6PUFA含量增高,高脂饮食增加了饱和脂肪酸(Saturated fatty acid,SFA),有显著差异(P0.05),高脂鱼油组二十二碳六烯酸(Docosahexaenoic acid,DHA)及二十碳五烯酸(Docosapentaenoic acid,EPA)增加导致n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-3PUFA)含量增加(P0.05),SHR大鼠高脂鱼油组亚油酸(Linoleic Acid,LA)、AA含量减低(P0.05)。结论:膳食补充n-3PUFA可能通过影响交感神经活性和血浆脂肪酸谱的组成而改善高饱和脂肪酸所致SHR大鼠的血压升高。     

SCD-1下调大鼠非酒精性脂肪肝肝脏能量储存的机理研究

目的:探讨硬脂酰CoA去饱和酶-1(SCD-1)对高脂饮食引起大鼠非酒精性脂肪肝肝脏能量储存下降的机理.方法:30只SD大鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,前者用高脂饮食分别喂养8wk、16wk和24wk,后者同期予正常饮食.采用RT实时荧光PCR分析大鼠肝脏SCD-1 mRNA、β-actin mRNA及UCP2 mRNA与β-actin mRNA的比值,荧光素酶.荧光素发测定肝脏ATP含量.结果:肝组织HE染色显示实验组大鼠肝脏内有弥漫性肝细胞脂肪变性,8wk达到脂肪肝诊断标准.8wk表现为单纯性脂肪肝,16～24 wk进展为脂肪性肝炎.8 wk、16 wk和24 wk时实验组和对照组SCD-1 mRNA的测定值分别为0.39±0.18和0.83±0.28(P＜0.05),0.44±0.17和0.81±0.30(P＜0.05),0.47±0.23和0.88±0.22(P＜0.01);肝UCP2 mRNA的测定值依次为5.41±1.94和3.56±1.43(P＞0.05),9.56±2.95和3.68±1.74(P＜0.05),13.74±3.17和3.79±1.65(P＜0.01);肝匀浆ATP含量为2.40±0.54和2.96±0.43(P＞0.05)、2.26±0.55和3.00±0.42(P＜0.05),1.74±0.45和2.79±0.40(P＜0.01).结论:长期高脂饮食促使脂肪在肝内蓄积形成非酒精性脂肪肝,同时加重氧化应激对肝细胞的打击和肝脏的炎症反应.     

Features of the Uncoupling Effect of Fatty Acids in Liver Mitochondria of Mammals with Different Body Weight

In the presence of oligomycin, EGTA, and magnesium ions, the protonophore uncoupling activity of palmitate (V(Pal)) is determined as the ratio of the acceleration of respiration with palmitate to its concentration. Under these conditions, V(Pal) in liver mitochondria of one-month-old rats with the body weight of 50 g is 1.46-fold higher than in liver mitochondria of adult rats with the body weight of 250 g, whereas the uncoupling activity of FCCP does not depend on the age of the animals. The difference in V(Pal) is mainly due to its component insensitive to carboxyatractylate and glutamate (V(Ins)). This value is 2.9-fold higher in mitochondria of one-month-old rats than in those of adult rats. The protonophore activity of palmitate is similar in liver mitochondria of four-day-old and adult rats. In liver mitochondria of adult mammals (mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit), V(Pal) decreases with increase in the body weight of the animals. In double logarithmic coordinates, the dependence of the V(Pal) value on the body weight is linear with slope angle tangent of -0.18. The V(Pal) value is mainly contributed by its component V(Ins). In the presence of calcium ions, palmitate induces the nonspecific permeability of the inner membrane of liver mitochondria (pore opening). This Ca2+-dependent uncoupling effect of palmitate is less pronounced in mitochondria of one-month-old rats than in those of adult rats. In mitochondria of adult animals (mice, rats, and guinea pigs), the Ca2+-dependent uncoupling activity of palmitate is virtually the same. It is concluded that the protonophore uncoupling effect of palmitate in liver mitochondria of mammals, unlike its Ca2+-dependent effect, is associated with thermogenesis at rest and also with production of additional heat on cooling of the animals.     

Influence of Volatile Fatty Acids on Nitrite Accumulation by a Pseudomonas stutzeri Strain Isolated from a Denitrifying Fluidized Bed Reactor

Intermediate nitrite accumulation during denitrification by Pseudomonas stutzeri isolated from a denitrifying fluidized bed reactor was examined in the presence of different volatile fatty acids. Nitrite accumulated when acetate or propionate served as the carbon and electron source but did not accumulate in the presence of butyrate, valerate, or caproate. Nitrite accumulation in the presence of acetate was caused by differences in the rates of nitrate and nitrite reduction and, in addition, by competition between nitrate and nitrite reduction pathways for electrons. Incubation of the cells with butyrate resulted in a slower nitrate reduction rate and a faster nitrite reduction rate than incubation with acetate. Whereas nitrate inhibited the nitrite reduction rate in the presence of acetate, no such inhibition was found in butyrate-supplemented cells. Cytochromes b and c were found to mediate electron transport during nitrate reduction by the cells. Cytochrome c was reduced via a different pathway when nitrite-reducing cells were incubated with acetate than when they were incubated with butyrate. Furthermore, addition of antimycin A to nitrite-reducing cells resulted in partial inhibition of electron transport to cytochrome c in acetate-supplemented cells but not in butyrate-supplemented cells. On the basis of these findings, we propose that differences in intermediate nitrite accumulation are caused by differences in electron flow to nitrate and nitrite reductases during oxidation of either acetate or butyrate.     

Influence of Host Diet on the Fatty Acid Composition and Content of Rumen Protozoa in Cattle

The fatty acid profiles and contents of protozoa from the rumen fluid of cattle varied according to the type of diet consumed by their host. Changing from a high-quality hay diet to a low-quality hay diet (DA) decreased the proportions of saturated acids and increased the proportions of the unsaturated acids 18:1 cis-9, 18:2 and 18:3 in neutral lipids (NL) and phospholipids (PL). Adding sucrose, urea and sulphur (SUS) to DA increased the proportions of branched chain acids in PL while addition of safflower oil increased polyunsaturated acids in PL and 18:1 trans-11 in NL. Diet did not alter the PL fatty acid content of protozoa but oil supplement of DA resulted in a 10-fold increase in the content of free fatty acids. The defaunating effect of oil supplement was partly reversed by SUS suggesting that factors other than the fatty acid content of cells are important in determining the toxicity of oil to rumen protozoa. The results indicate that the amounts of individual long-chain fatty acids taken up by rumen ciliates are largely determined by their concentrations in rumen digesta.     

Recovery of Altered Fatty Acid Composition Induced by a Diet Devoid of n-3 Fatty Acids in Myelin, Synaptosomes, Mitochondria, and Microsomes of Developing Rat Brain

Rats were fed a semisynthetic diet containing either sunflower oil or soya oil. Half the litter fed with sunflower oil diet was changed to a soya oil diet when the pups were 15 days old (during active myelination). Fatty acid analysis was then performed on subcellular fractions of the animals fed (a) soya oil, (b) sunflower oil, and (c) soya oil replacing sunflower oil from the 15th day, to determine the speed of the recovery. All material from animals fed sunflower oil showed an important reduction in docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3), compensated by an increase in docosapentaenoic acid (22:5 n-6), whereas arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) was not affected. In all fractions examined, when sunflower oil was replaced by soya oil in 15-day-old pups the recovery started from the very first day but lasted more than 2 months (this recovery was determined by the increase of 22:6 n-3 up to the normal value and decrease of the 22:5 n-6). In addition a delay was found for myelin recovery, starting only from the 25th day.     

Associations of Erythrocyte Fatty Acids in the De Novo Lipogenesis Pathway with Proxies of Liver Fat Accumulation in the EPIC-Potsdam Study

BackgroundBiomarker fatty acids (FAs) reflecting de novo lipogenesis (DNL) are strongly linked to the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Liver fat accumulation could mediate this relation. There is very limited data from human population-based studies that have examined this relation.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relation between specific FAs in the DNL pathway and liver fat accumulation in a large population-based study.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a subsample (n = 1,562) of the EPIC-Potsdam study, which involves 27,548 middle-aged men and women. Baseline blood samples have been analyzed for proportions of 32 FAs in erythrocyte membranes (determined by gas chromatography) and biomarker concentrations in plasma. As indicators for DNL, the DNL-index (16:0 / 18:2n-6) and proportions of individual blood FAs in the DNL pathway were used. Plasma parameters associated with liver fat content (fetuin-A, ALT, and GGT) and the algorithm-based fatty liver index (FLI) were used to reflect liver fat accumulation.ResultsThe DNL-index tended to be positively associated with the FLI and was positively associated with GGT activity in men (p for trend: 0.12 and 0.003). Proportions of 14:0 and 16:0 in erythrocytes were positively associated with fetuin-A, whereas 16:1n-7 were positively associated with the FLI and GGT activity (all p for trends in both sexes at least 0.004). Furthermore, the proportion of 16:1n-7 was positively related to fetuin-A in women and ALT activity in men (all p for trend at least 0.03). The proportion of 16:1n-9 showed positive associations with the FLI and GGT activity in men and fetuin-A in both sexes, whereas 18:1n-7 was positively associated with GGT activity in men (all p for trend at least 0.048).ConclusionFindings from this large epidemiological study suggest that liver fat accumulation could link erythrocyte FAs in the DNL pathway to the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.     

骨钙素对高糖低脂饮食引起的糖尿病新西兰兔胰腺的影响

目的:基于一贯性高血糖症能导致胰岛素抵抗的假说,我们研究了高糖低脂饮食导致的非胰岛素依赖糖尿病大鼠的生理功能和组织学改变.方法:取正常新西兰兔24只,随机分为正常组、糖尿病(DM)组、糖尿病骨钙素干预(DM+OCGY)组.采用高唐低脂饮食喂养新西兰兔,建立非胰岛素依赖糖尿病模型.建立模型后,DM+OCGY组腹腔注射骨钙素(2.5 mg/kg·d),DM组腹腔注射相等量生理盐水.一个月后处死新西兰兔.用HE染色方法检测新西兰兔胰腺形态改变.结果:高糖低脂饮食能有效引起新西兰兔血糖的升高,尿糖阳性,HE染色表明胰腺细胞发生相应改变,DM+OCGY组空腹血糖的浓度明显降低,能逆转胰腺的相关改变.结论:高糖低脂饮食能诱导非胰岛素依赖糖尿病的发生,骨钙素对非胰岛素依赖型糖尿病血糖浓度有一定的调节作用.     

Fatty Acids Induce Chloride Permeation in Rat Liver Mitochondria by Activation of the Inner Membrane Anion Channel (IMAC)

The inner membrane of freshly isolated mammalian mitochondria is poorly permeable to Cl(-). Low, nonlytic concentrations (< or =30 microM) of long-chain fatty acids or their branched-chain derivatives increase permeation of Cl(-) as indicated from rapid large-scale swelling of mitochondria suspended in slightly alkaline KCl medium (supplemented with valinomycin). Myristic, palmitic, or 5-doxylstearic acid are powerful inducers of Cl(-) permeation, whereas lauric, phytanic, stearic, or 16-doxylstearic acid stimulate Cl(-) permeation in a lesser extent. Fatty acid-induced Cl(-) permeation across the inner membrane correlates well with the property of nonesterified fatty acids to release endogenous Mg(2+) from mitochondria. Myristic acid stimulates anion permeation in a selective manner, similar as was described for A23187, an activator of the inner membrane anion channel (IMAC). Myristic acid-induced Cl(-) permeation is blocked by low concentrations of tributyltin chloride (IC(50) approximately 1.5 nmol/mg protein). Moreover, myristic acid activates a transmembrane ion current in patch-clamped mitoplasts (mitochondria with the outer membrane removed) exposed to alkaline KCl medium. This current is best ascribed to the opening of an ion channel with a single-channel conductance of 108 pS. We propose that long-chain fatty acids can activate IMAC by withdrawal of Mg(2+) from intrinsic binding sites.     

Early Life Stress Interacts with the Diet Deficiency of Omega-3 Fatty Acids during the Life Course Increasing the Metabolic Vulnerability in Adult Rats

Early stress can cause metabolic disorders in adulthood. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) deficiency has also been linked to the development of metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess whether an early stressful event such as maternal separation interacts with the nutritional availability of n-3 PUFAs during the life course on metabolic aspects. Litters were randomized into: maternal separated (MS) and non-handled (NH). The MS group was removed from their dam for 3 hours per day and put in an incubator at 32°C on days 1° to 10° postnatal (PND). On PND 35, males were subdivided into diets that were adequate or deficient in n-3 PUFAs, and this intervention was applied during the subsequent 15 weeks. Animal''s body weight and food consumption were measured weekly, and at the end of the treatment tissues were collected. MS was associated with increased food intake (p = 0.047) and weight gain (p = 0.012), but no differences were found in the NPY hypothalamic content between the groups. MS rats had also increased deposition of abdominal fat (p<0.001) and plasma triglycerides (p = 0.018) when compared to the NH group. Interactions between early life stress and n-3 PUFAs deficiency were found in plasma insulin (p = 0.033), HOMA index (p = 0.049), leptin (p = 0.010) and liver PEPCK expression (p = 0.050), in which the metabolic vulnerability in the MS group was aggravated by the n-3 PUFAs deficient diet exposure. This was associated with specific alterations in the peripheral fatty acid profile. Variations in the neonatal environment interact with nutritional aspects during the life course, such as n-3 PUFAs diet content, and persistently alter the metabolic vulnerability in adulthood.