Interesterified fat or palm oil as substitutes for partially hydrogenated fat during the perinatal period produces changes in the brain fatty acids profile and increases leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the cerebral microcirculation from the male offspring in adult life.

We investigated whether maternal intake of normolipidic diets with distinct fatty acid (FA) compositions alters the lipidic profile and influences the inflammatory status of the adult offsprings׳ brains. C57BL/6 female mice during pregnancy and lactation received diets containing either soybean oil (CG), partially hydrogenated vegetable fat rich in trans-fatty acids (TG), palm oil (PG), or interesterified fat (IG). After weaning, male offspring from all groups received control diet. The FA profile was measured in the offspring׳s brains at post-natal days 21 and 90. Brain functional capillary density as well as leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the cerebral post-capillary venules was assessed by intravital fluorescence microscopy at post-natal day 90. Inflammation signaling was evaluated through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) content in brain of the adult offspring. In the 21-day old offspring, the brains of the TG showed higher levels of trans FA and reduced levels of linoleic acid (LA) and total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). At post-natal day 90, TG and IG groups showed reduced levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total n-3 PUFA tended to be lower compared to CG. The offspring׳s brains exhibited an altered microcirculation with increased leukocyte rolling in groups TG, PG and IG and in TG group increased leukocyte adhesion. The TLR4 content of TG, IG and PG groups only tended to increase (23%; 20% and 35%, respectively). Maternal consumption of trans FA, palm oil or interesterified fat during pregnancy and lactation can trigger the initial steps of inflammatory pathways in the brain of offspring in adulthood.

Structural and functional microvascular alterations in a rat model of metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate microvascular alterations in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) associated with salt supplementation (0.5% NaCl). DESIGN AND METHODS: Wistar Kyoto rats were fed standard chow (control group, CONT) or HFD for 20 weeks. The functional capillary density (FCD) was assessed using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. RESULTS: The HFD group presented a higher systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin levels, total and LDL-cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and visceral and epididymal fat when compared with the CONT group. When compared with the CONT group, the HFD group showed a lower FCD in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.05) but not in the skin (P > 0.05). The HFD group also had a lower capillary-to-fiber ratio in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.01). The capillary volume density-to-fiber volume density ratio in the left ventricle of the HFD was also reduced (P < 0.01). Finally, rats fed with HFD showed ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocyte diameter (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term administration of a HFD associated with salt supplementation to rats generates an experimental model of metabolic syndrome characterized by central body fat deposition, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and rarefaction of the microcirculation in the heart and skeletal muscle.