Obesity Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Obesity, including details on health, diet, prevention, exercise. | ||||||||
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Adipose tissue in offspring of Lepr(db/+) mice: early-life environment vs. genotype.Lambin S, van Bree R, Caluwaerts S, Vercruysse L, Vergote I, Verhaeghe J Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology, Onderwijs en Navorsing, Campus Gasthuisberg box 611, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. suzan.lambin@med.kuleuven.be Gravidas with obesity and diabetes ("diabesity") may transmit this syndrome to their children through genetic and nongenetic mechanisms. Here, we used the Lepr(db/+) diabese mouse to examine the magnitude of these transmission modes, focusing on adipose tissue (AT). We compared the following six groups: wild-type (+/+) offspring from +/+ or db/+ dams (different early life environment) and db/+ offspring from db/+ dams, fed a standard or high-fat diet. Weight gain (0-8 wk) was higher in +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ mothers, and even higher in db/+ vs. +/+ offspring from db/+ mothers. In addition, we observed a stepwise increase in AT and adipocyte size in +/+ from +/+ mice, +/+ from db/+ mice, and db/+ mice at 8 wk. Differences in weight and adiposity between +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams were more pronounced in males than in females. Leptin and apelin mRNA levels in white and brown AT were higher in +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams; however, leptin, apelin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression were boosted more robustly in db/+ offspring. The high-fat diet amplified AT differences between db/+ vs. +/+ offspring from db/+ dams, but not between +/+ offspring from db/+ vs. +/+ dams. Moreover, db/+ but not +/+ offspring from db/+ mothers were insulin-resistant and hyperinsulinemic after a glucose challenge. In conclusion, the genetic transmission of the diabesity phenotype clearly prevailed, but the early-life diabesity environment had discernible effects on postnatal weight gain as well as on adipocyte size and adipokine expression at a postpubertal age. Published 4 January 2007 in Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 292(1): E262-71.
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