title: The effects of low protein during gestation on mouse pancreatic development and beta cell regeneration.
abstract: Beta cells are partially replaced in neonatal rodents after deletion with streptozotocin (STZ). Exposure of pregnant rats to a low protein (LP) diet impairs endocrine pancreas development in the offspring, leading to glucose intolerance in adulthood. Our objective was to determine whether protein restriction has a similar effect on the offspring in mice, and if this alters the capacity for beta cell regeneration after STZ. Pregnant Balb/c mice were fed a control (C) (20% protein) or an isocaloric LP (8% protein) diet during gestation. Pups were given 35 mg/kg STZ (or vehicle) from d 1 to 5 for each dietary treatment. Histologic analysis showed that C-fed offspring had largely replaced beta cell mass (BCM) after STZ by d 30, but this was not sustained over time. Female LP-fed offspring showed an initial increase in BCM by d 14 but developed glucose intolerance by d 130. In contrast, male LP offspring showed no changes in BCM or glucose tolerance. However, LP exposure limited the capacity for recovery of BCM in both genders after STZ treatment.
authors.affiliation: Lawson Health Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario N6A 4V2, Canada. arcox@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Stephanie K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Gottheil
authors.forename: Edith J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Arany
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009929:Organ Size; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin