title: Adipocyte morphology and leptin signaling in rat offspring from mothers supplemented with flaxseed during lactation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have recently shown that maternal flaxseed supplementation during lactation induces insulin resistance in adult offspring. Here, we studied the effects of maternal dietary flaxseed during lactation on adipocyte morphology and leptin signaling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis as well as on behavioral traits in the adult progeny.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lactating rats were fed a control (C) diet or a diet with 25% flaxseed (F). After weaning, pups received a standard diet until postnatal day (PN) 180. Male offspring were killed at PN21 and 180. Data were considered significant at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weaned F rats presented a lower total and subcutaneous fat mass and higher subcutaneous adipocyte area (+48%), but at adulthood they presented higher subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte areas (+40% and 1.9-fold increase, respectively), with no change in body fat mass. At PN21, F pups had hyperleptinemia (+69%), lower T(3) (-33%), higher TSH (2.1-fold increase), higher pituitary leptin receptor (Ob-R, +11%), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3, +21%), and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3, +77%) protein content. Adult F offspring only showed lower T(4) (-28%) and higher thyroid Ob-R (+52%) expression. Maternal flaxseed intake during lactation did not result in behavioral changes in the adult offspring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal flaxseed supplementation decreases offspring adiposity and increases pituitary leptin signaling at weaning, but it induces hypertrophic adipocytes and higher thyroid leptin receptor in adulthood. The present data suggest that extensive use of flaxseed during lactation is undesirable.
authors: Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Mariana Sarto
authors: MS
authors: Figueiredo
authors: Magna Cottini
authors: MC
authors: da Fonseca Passos
authors: Isis Hara
authors: IH
authors: Trevenzoli
authors: Aline Andrade
authors: AA
authors: Troina
authors: Aluana Santana
authors: AS
authors: Carlos
authors: Celly Cristina
authors: CC
authors: Alves Nascimento-Saba
authors: Mabel Carneiro
authors: MC
authors: Fraga
authors: Alex C
authors: AC
authors: Manhães
authors: Elaine
authors: E
authors: de Oliveira
authors: Patrícia Cristina
authors: PC
authors: Lisboa
authors: Egberto Gaspar
authors: EG
authors: de Moura
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax / Q000737:chemistry*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; C494088:Stat3 protein, rat