title: Metabolic effects of a high-fat diet post-weaning after low maternal dietary folate during pregnancy and lactation.
abstract: METHODS
  Investigate the influence of low-folate supply during pregnancy and lactation on obesity and markers of the metabolic syndrome in offspring, and how provision of a high-fat diet post weaning may exacerbate the resultant phenotype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female C57Bl/6 mice were randomized to low or normal folate diets (0.4 or 2 mg folic acid/kg diet) prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. At 4 wk of age, offspring were randomized to high- or low-fat diets, weighed weekly and food intake assessed at 9 and 18 wk old. Adiposity was measured at 3 and 6 months. Plasma glucose and triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations were measured at 6 months. Maternal folate supply did not influence adult offspring body weight or adiposity. High-fat feeding post weaning increased body weight and adiposity at 3 and 6 months (p > 0.001). Maternal low folate lowered plasma glucose (p = 0.010) but increased plasma TAG (p = 0.048). High-fat feeding post weaning increased plasma glucose and TAG (p = 0.023, p = 0.049 respectively). Offspring from folate-depleted (but not folate-adequate) dams had 30% higher TAG concentration when fed the high-fat diet from weaning (p = 0.005 for interaction).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate maternal folate intake has long-term effects on offspring metabolism, manifested as increased circulating TAG, particularly in offspring with high-fat intake post weaning.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Institute for Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Jill A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manus
authors.forename: Sabine A S
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Langie
authors.forename: Ross J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mathers
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D007774:Lactation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Adiposity; DOHaD; High-fat diet; Maternal folate intake; Metabolic syndrome