Somatic and reflex development in suckling rats: effects of mother treatment with ketogenic diet associated with lack of protein.
Ketogenic diets influence brain function and have been therapeutically used for anti-epileptic purposes. We investigated the effects of maternal ketogenic diets on the development of somatic and reflex responses in rat pups. These were born from mothers receiving: (i) normal fat (7%) + normal protein (17%); (ii) high-fat (55.4%) + normal protein; (iii) normal fat + low protein (8%); and (iv) high-fat + low protein (respectively, called N-17, K-17, N-8 and K-8). Ketogenic diets, but not the normal-fat diets, delayed the development of reflex and somatic responses. The effects were more evident when the ketogenic diet was associated with low protein content. The results suggest that fat excess can alter brain maturation, and this action is intensified by early protein-deficiency. Data raise concerns about the therapeutic use of ketogenic diets in newborn children.
Soares
Ana Karla Ferrer
AK
Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife, Brazil.
Guerra
Renata G S
RG
de Castro
Mylena Lucena
ML
Amancio-dos-Santos
Angela
A
Guedes
Rubem Carlos Araújo
RC
Cabral-Filho
José Eulálio
JE
Costa
José Audísio
JA
Medeiros
Maria do Carmo
Mdo C
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011247:Pregnancy; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D015430:Weight Gain