Maternal manganese restriction increases susceptibility to high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and altered adipose function in WNIN male rat offspring

Abstract

Growth in utero is largely a reflection of nutrient and oxygen supply to the foetus. We studied the effects of Mn restriction per se, maternal Mn restriction, and postnatal high-fat feeding in modulating body composition, lipid metabolism and adipocyte function in Wistar/NIN (WNIN) rat offspring. Female weanling, WNIN rats received ad libitum for 4 months, a control or Mn-restricted diet and were mated with control males. Some restricted mothers were rehabilitated with control diet from conception (MnRC) or parturition (MnRP), and their offspring were raised on control diet. Some restricted offspring were weaned onto control diet (MnRW), while others continued on restricted diet throughout (MnR). A set of offspring from each group was fed high-fat diet from 9 months onwards. Body composition, adipocytes function, and lipid metabolism were monitored in male rat offspring at regular intervals. Maternal manganese restriction increased the susceptibility of the offspring to high-fat-induced adiposity, dyslipidaemia, and a proinflammatory state but did not affect their glycemic or insulin status.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the feeding protocol of different groups of WNIN rat mothers and their offspring. MnC: control group, MnR: manganese restricted group, MnRC: rehabilitation from conception group, MnRP: rehabilitation from parturition group, MnRW: rehabilitation from weaning group.

Figure 2

Body fat% in normal fat-fed (a) and HF-fed offspring (b) at different time points. Values are mean + SE (n = 6). Bars without a common letter (“a” and “b”) are significantly different at P < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD (least significant difference) test. MnC: control group, MnR: manganese restricted group, MnRC: rehabilitation from conception group, MnRP: rehabilitation from parturition group, and MnRW: rehabilitation from weaning group.

Figure 3

Adiposity index in normal fat-fed and HF-fed offspring at 18 mon of age. Values are mean + SE (n = 6).

Figure 4

(a, b) Total cholesterol in normal fat-fed (a) and HF-fed (b) offspring at different ages. Values are mean + SE (n = 6). Bars without a common letter (“a” and “b”) are significantly different at P < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD (least significant difference) test. (c, d) HDL cholesterol in normal fat-fed and HF-fed offspring at different ages. Values are mean + SE (n = 6). Bars without a common letter (“a” and “b”) are significantly different at P < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD (least significant difference) test. (e, f) Triglyceride levels in normal fat-fed and HF-fed offspring at various time points. Values are mean + SE (n = 6). Bars without a common letter (“a” and “b”) are significantly different at P < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD (least significant difference) test.

Figure 5

Oil red “O” staining in normal fat-fed (a) and HF-fed (b) MnC and MnR offspring at 18 months of age.

Figure 6

(a) Levels of fasting plasma glucose in different groups of NF-fed rat offspring at 9 months of age. (b) Levels of fasting plasma insulin in different groups of NF-fed rat offspring at 9 months of age. (c) Levels of fasting plasma glucose in different groups of HF-fed rat offspring at 18 months of age. (d) Levels of fasting plasma insulin in different groups of HF-fed rat offspring at 18 months of age.