title: Morphometric and functional abnormalities of kidneys in the progeny of mice fed chocolate during pregnancy and lactation.
abstract: Even most commonly consumed beverages like tea, coffee, chocolate and cocoa contain methylxanthines, biogenic amines and polyphenols, among them catechins, that exhibit significant biological activity and might profoundly affect the organism homeostasis. We have previously shown that 400 mg of bitter chocolate or 6 mg of theobromine added to the daily diet of pregnant and afterwards lactating mice affected embryonic angiogenesis and caused bone mineralization disturbances as well as limb shortening in 4-weeks old offspring. The aim of the present study was the morphometric and functional evaluation of kidneys in the 4-weeks old progeny mice fed according to the protocol mentioned above. Progeny from the mice fed chocolate presented considerable morphometric abnormalities in the kidney structure, with the lower number of glomeruli per mm2 and their increased diameter. Moreover, higher serum creatinine concentration was observed in that group of offspring. No morphometric or functional irregularities were found in the progeny of mice fed theobromine. Abnormalities demonstrated in the offspring of mice fed chocolate are not related to its theobromine content. Consequently, identification of active compound(s) responsible for the observed effects is of vital importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patera
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chorostowska-Wynimko
authors.forename: Janina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Słodkowska
authors.forename: Adamina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borowska
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skopiński
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sommer
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wasiutyński
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skopińska-Rózewska
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D002099:Cacao / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000502:physiology*; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011247:Pregnancy; D013805:Theobromine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003404:Creatinine; D013805:Theobromine