A calcium-deficient diet in rat dams during gestation and nursing affects hepatic 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 expression in the offspring.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prenatal malnutrition can affect the phenotype of offspring by changing epigenetic regulation of specific genes. Several lines of evidence demonstrate that calcium (Ca) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance syndrome. We hypothesized that pregnant female rats fed a Ca-deficient diet would have offspring with altered hepatic glucocorticoid-related gene expression and that lactation would modify these alterations.

Methodology

We determined the effects of Ca deficiency during pregnancy and/or lactation on hepatic 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (Hsd11b1) expression in offspring. Female Wistar rats consumed either a Ca-deficient (D: 0.008% Ca) or control (C: 0.90% Ca) diet ad libitum from 3 weeks preconception to 21 days postparturition.

SUBMITTER: Takaya J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3888454 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature