Abstract | BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence that an imbalance in oxidant/ antioxidant activities plays a pivotal role in fetal development. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the effects of maternal intake of fat and fiber on fetal intrauterine development and antioxidant defense systems of rats. METHODS: Virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups according to diet: the low-fat, low-fiber group (LL); the low-fat, high-fiber group (LH); the high-fat, low-fiber group (HL); and the high-fat, high-fiber group (HH). The diets were fed 4 weeks prior to breeding through day 17.5 of pregnancy. Dietary intakes of fiber ( wheat bran and oat) and fat were quantitatively varied, while intakes of energy and essential nutrients were kept constant among the diets. RESULTS: Rats fed a fiber-rich diet had significantly improved fetal numbers, as well as enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and capacity of scavenging free radicals (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the placental malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were affected by the diet fat and fiber levels (p < 0.05). Compared with the LL group, the mRNA abundance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and thioredoxin-2 (Trx2) in the maternal liver and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) in the placenta and fetus were significantly downregulated in the HL group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, rats fed a fiber-rich diet had significantly upregulated mRNA expressions of Cu,Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and HIF-1α in the maternal liver (p < 0.05); Cu,Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD in the placenta (p < 0.05); and Cu,Zn-SOD in the fetus (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When energy intakes are equivalent, consumption of fiber in high- or low-fat diets benefits fetal development and growth, through improvements in maternal, placental, and fetal antioxidant defense capacities.
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Authors | Yan Lin, Xing-fa Han, Zheng-feng Fang, Lian-qiang Che, De Wu, Xiu-qun Wu, Cai-mei Wu |
Journal | European journal of nutrition
(Eur J Nutr)
Vol. 51
Issue 1
Pg. 19-27
(Feb 2012)
ISSN: 1436-6215 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 21424688
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Dietary Fiber
- Fetal Proteins
- Hif1a protein, rat
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
- Pregnancy Proteins
- RNA, Messenger
- Txn2 protein, rat
- Thioredoxins
- Oxidoreductases
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Topics |
- Animals
- Diet, Fat-Restricted
- Diet, High-Fat
(adverse effects)
- Dietary Fiber
(therapeutic use)
- Dietary Supplements
- Female
- Fetal Development
- Fetal Proteins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
(genetics, metabolism)
- Liver
(metabolism)
- Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Oxidative Stress
- Oxidoreductases
(blood, genetics, metabolism)
- Placenta
(cytology, metabolism)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Proteins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Protein Carbonylation
- RNA, Messenger
(metabolism)
- Random Allocation
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Thioredoxins
(genetics, metabolism)
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