In utero and postnatal exposure to long chain (n-3) PUFA enhances intestinal glucose absorption and energy stores in weanling pigs.
The aim of this research was to determine whether feeding gestating and lactating sows (n-3) PUFA [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexenoic acid (DHA)] or coconut fat (saturated fat) influences ex vivo glucose absorption in the proximal jejunum and glucose and glycogen concentration of liver and muscle of their offspring at weaning. Sows were fed 1 of 4 diets for 150 d, which included the entire gestation and lactation periods. The diets consisted of basal corn/soybean meal (CONT), CONT + protected EPA and DHA-rich fish oil (PFO), CONT + DHA Gold fat (DHAGF), and CONT + coconut fat (COCO). All tissues were collected from piglets (n = 4 per treatment) following a 24-h period of food deprivation, which was initiated at weaning. Proximal jejunum samples were mounted in modified Ussing chambers for transport determinations. Relative to the CONT (7 muA/cm(2)), active glucose transport was greater (P = 0.013) in piglets from sows fed the PFO (30 microA/cm(2)) and DHAGF (40 microA/cm(2)) diets, but not the COCO diet (19 microA/cm(2); pooled SEM = 5). Likewise, jejunum expression of glucose transporter 2 and sodium glucose transporter 1 protein tended (P < 0.10) to be greater in piglets from dams fed the PFO and DHAGF diets, as did AMP-activated protein kinase activity. Piglets' muscle glycogen was greater than in CONT (34 +/- 5.2 mg/g wet tissue) only in piglets from dams fed the DHAGF (46 +/- 5.2 mg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05). These results indicate that (n-3) PUFA, particularly DHA, improves intestinal glucose absorption and muscle glycogen concentrations in newly weaned pigs. These findings may also have important implications for human mothers and infants.
Gabler
Nicholas K
NK
Department of Food Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Spencer
Joel D
JD
Webel
Doug M
DM
Spurlock
Michael E
ME
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D014886:Weaning
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005947:Glucose