ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional and behavioral effects of a cafeteria diet in dams during the breastfeeding period and in their offspring from weaning until early adulthood (70 days old). Pregnant Wistar rats were fed a chow diet until delivery. Postnatally (D0), litters were culled to 8 pups and lactating dams received control (CTRL n= 6) or cafeteria (CAF n= 6) diets and water ad libitum. At the end of the breastfeeding period, male offspring were placed in individual boxes receiving the same treatment from their respective dams (CTRL or CAF) until adulthood (70 days). All nutritional and behavioral evaluations were performed with the dams (n= 12) during the breastfeeding phase and with the male offspring (n= 24) after weaning to adulthood. CAF dams demonstrated a lower caloric and protein intake; higher intake of fats; loss of weight; greater accumulation of adipose tissue; and an anxiolytic effect. CAF male offspring showed lower caloric intake; higher intake of fats; and accumulation of adipose tissue. In addition, these animals continued to have decreased body weight, body length and tibia-femur length in relation to CTRL. In dams, a cafeteria diet promoted alterations in body composition and anxiety, and in offspring the diet resulted in adequate development.
El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos nutricionales y de comportamiento de la dieta de la cafetería en las madres durante el período de lactancia materna y en su descendencia desde el destete hasta la edad adulta temprana (70 días de edad). Ratas Wistar embarazadas fueron alimentadas con una dieta estándar hasta el parto. Postnatalmente (D0), las camadas se ajustaron en 8 crías y las madres lactantes recibieron las dietas control (CTRL n= 6) o cafetería (CAF n= 6) además de agua ad libitum. Al final del período de lactancia materna, las proles machos fueron colocados en cajas individuales recibiendo el mismo tratamiento de sus respectivas madres (CTRL o CAF) hasta la edad adulta (70 días). Todas las evaluaciones nutricionales y comportamentales se realizaron con las madres (n= 12) durante la fase de lactancia y con la prole masculina (n= 24) después del destete hasta la edad adulta. Las madres CAF demostraron una menor ingesta calórica y proteica; mayor ingestión de grasas; pérdida de peso; mayor acumulación de tejido adiposo; y un efecto ansiolítico. La prole masculina CAF presentó menor consumo calórico; mayor ingestión de grasas; y la acumulación de tejido adiposo. Además, estos animales presentaron menor peso corporal, longitud corporal, y longitud de la tibia-fémur, en relación a CTRL. En las madres, la dieta de cafetería promovió cambios en la composición corporal y ansiedad, y en la prole la dieta comprometió el desarrollo adecuado.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Pregnancy , Rats , Diet/adverse effects , Feeding Behavior , Anxiety/etiology , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/etiology , Weaning , Behavior, Animal , Breast Feeding , Nutrition Assessment , Adipose Tissue , Analysis of Variance , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
The plant Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae (water pennywort), is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine to reduce anxiety. This work investigates the anxiolytic-like effects of the ethanol extract from H. umbellata subterraneous parts as well as the extract's other putative central nervous system effects that could justify its common use. Oral dosing of the extract (0.3 and 1 g/kg) clearly showed an anxiolytic-like profile in the elevated plus maze test where it increased the percentage of entries into and the time spent in the open arms of the maze. In the marble-burying test, the extract induced anxiolytic-like effects only at a dose of 1 g/kg, which also causes mild sedative properties in other models. The sedated state was characterized by a slight reduction in spontaneous exploratory activity during the open field test and a potentiating of pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. No signs of motor impairment were detected in the rota rod or chimney tests. The extract did not show antidepressant properties in mice as assessed by the forced swimming test. These results support the use of H. umbellata in Brazilian folk medicine as an anxiolytic and contribute to the scientific knowledge of this possible phytotherapeutic resource.