Effect of reduced maternal protein consumption during pregnancy in the rat on plasma lipid concentrations and expression of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors in the liver and adipose tissue of the offspring

The effect of protein consumption during pregnancy on peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression and plasma lipid concentrations in the offspring were determined in the rat. Rats were fed isocaloric diets containing either 18% (w/w) (control) or 9% (w/w) casein throughout pregnancy, and chow during lactation. Maternal protein intake did not alter fetal hepatic PPARalpha and gamma expression at 20/21 days gestation (n = 5/group). Liver PPARalpha expression was 69% greater (P < 0.0001) in the 9% group, whereas PPARgamma was not altered, in the offspring 6 days after weaning (n = 5/group). Adipose PPARgamma expression was 59% lower (P < 0.01) in the 9% group after weaning. This was accompanied by an increase (35%, P < 0.02) in plasma triacylglycerol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations 55%, (P < 0.01) in the 9% group after weaning. These data show that maternal protein intake during pregnancy alters the regulation of PPAR expression, which represents a potential mechanism to explain impaired lipid homeostasis in the offspring. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.