Maternal intake of fructose or artificial sweetener during pregnancy and lactation has persistent effects on metabolic and reproductive health of dams post-weaning.

As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related comorbidities have increased, the consumption of artificial sweeteners (ASs) as sugar substitutes has also risen in popularity as they are perceived as a healthier alternative to sugar sweetened products. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of AS intake on metabolic and reproductive health. Glucose intolerance during pregnancy due to intake of sugar sweetened foods can result in an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes post-pregnancy. However, limited information exists on the impact of AS intake during pregnancy and lactation on the mother's health in later life. We hypothesised both AS and fructose would impair metabolic health post-partum (PP) following maternal consumption during pregnancy and lactation. Female C57Bl/6 mice received a standard control diet ad libitum with either water (CD), fructose (Fr; 34.7 mm intake), or AS (AS;12.5 mm Acesulfame-K) throughout pregnancy and lactation. Post-weaning, AS and Fr dams were fed the CD diet for the remainder of the experiment. Oral glucose tolerance tests were undertaken 8 weeks PP and dams were humanely killed at 9 weeks PP, with adipose tissue and ovaries collected for analysis. Experimental diets did not influence maternal bodyweight. At 8 weeks PP, increased glucose intolerance was evident in both AS and Fr dams. Adipocyte size was significantly increased in both the AS and Fr groups PP. Further, in the ovary, AS increased expression of genes associated with follicular development and ovulation. Therefore, ASs may not represent beneficial substitutes to fructose during pregnancy, with the potential to increase the risk of T2DM in later life in mothers.

Metabolic Profile of Offspring from Diabetic Wistar Rats Treated with Mentha piperita (Peppermint).

This study aimed at evaluating glycemia and lipid profile of offspring from diabetic Wistar rats treated with Mentha piperita (peppermint) juice. Male offspring from nondiabetic dams (control group: 10 animals treated with water and 10 treated with peppermint juice) and from dams with streptozotocin-induced severe diabetes (diabetic group: 10 animals treated with water and 10 treated with peppermint juice) were used. They were treated during 30 days, and, after the treatment period, levels of glycemia, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fractions were analyzed in the adult phase. The offspring from diabetic dams treated with peppermint showed significantly reduced levels of glucose, cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglycerides and significant increase in HDL-c levels. The use of the M. piperita juice has potential as culturally appropriate strategy to aid in the prevention of DM, dyslipidemia, and its complications.

Impact of Maternal Intake of Artificial Sweetener, Acesulfame-K, on Metabolic and Reproductive Health Outcomes in Male and Female Mouse Offspring.

Guidelines advising pregnant women to avoid food and beverages with high fat and sugar have led to an increase in the consumption of "diet" options sweetened by artificial sweeteners (AS). Yet, there is limited information regarding the impact of AS intake during pregnancy on the long-term risk of cardiometabolic and reproductive complications in adult offspring. This study examined the influence of maternal acesulfame-K (Ace-K) and fructose consumption on metabolic and reproductive outcomes in offspring. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice received standard chow ad-libitum with either water (CD), fructose (Fr; 20% kcal intake), or AS (AS; 12.5 mM Ace-K) throughout pregnancy and lactation (n = 8/group). Postweaning offspring were maintained on a CD diet for the remainder of the experiment. Body weight, food intake, and water intake were measured weekly. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were undertaken at 12 weeks, and the offspring were culled at week 14. Female, but not male, AS groups exhibited decreased glucose tolerance compared to Fr. There was an increase in gonadal fat adipocyte size in male offspring from AS and Fr groups compared to CD groups. In female offspring, adipocyte size was increased in the Fr group compared to the CD group. In female, but not male offspring, there was a trend toward increase in Fasn gene expression in AS group compared to the CD group. Maternal AS and Fr also negatively impacted upon female offspring estrus cycles and induced alterations to markers associated with ovulation. In summary, exposure to Ace-k via the maternal diet leads to impaired glucose tolerance and impacts adipocyte size in a sex-specific manner as well as significantly affecting estrus cycles and related gene markers in female offspring. This has implications in terms of providing tailored dietary advice for pregnant women and highlights the potential negative influence of artificial sweetener intake in the context of intergenerational impacts.

Metabolic syndrome and atherogenic indices in school children: A worrying panorama in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is defined as the combination of a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors. The use of cardiovascular indices such as the ratios TC/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and TG/HDL-c may help in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. Investigation of cardio-metabolic risks in the pre-adolescent stage is essential to characterize possible patterns for MS in the earliest stages of the life avoiding further irreversible consequences. AIMS: This work aimed to investigate the presence of MS and cardiovascular indices in a group of children aged 6-10 years. METHODS: We included 150 children from a city in Brazil. Anthropometric (Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference) and biochemical parameters (glycaemia, total cholesterol, LDL-c, HDL-c, and triglycerides) were evaluated in order to identify the presence of MS. Atherogenic Indices were also calculated (TC/HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and TG/HDL-c). RESULTS: Our results showed that there are high percentages of children with altered values for biochemical and anthropometric parameters and in the atherogenic indices. MS was identified in 17.8% of the children. The main parameters related to alterations in the atherogenic indices were waist circumference, body mass index and the presence of MS. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of MS and alterations in the atherogenic indices in schoolchildren is a worrying panorama. We suggest the performance of more studies focusing on identification, intervention and prevention programs in order to reduce the risk factors of this syndrome in childhood and to reduce future cardiovascular deaths.

Eating habits and presence of cardiovascular risks in children.

INTRODUCTION: The changes in the eating habits associated with physical inactivity are directly related to the increase in the prevalence of obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the frequency of consumption of some food groups (snacks, fruits, vegetables and candies), physical exercise, nutritional classification and biochemical profile in children. METHODS: After the approval of the Ethics Committee, we studied 882 schoolchildren ranging between 6 and 10 years of age. Biochemical and anthropometric evaluations were performed and questionnaires were used in order to check the eating habits and physical activity. RESULTS: Our results showed that we may relate the consumption of snacks, fruits, vegetables or candies with modifications in the glycemia, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, and LDL-c but we did not observe association with the nutritional classification. It is noteworthy to say that almost 50% of the studied children were overweight or obese and many presented alterations in the lipid and glucose levels. CONCLUSION: Our results also show that many children have abnormal levels of lipids and glycemia and a great number of them are classified as overweight or obese. In this context, we can say that urgent approaches are needed to be carried out by a multidisciplinary team in order to improve the diet and reduces the risk factors in this population of children and prevent secondary diseases in adolescence and adulthood.

Oxidative Stress in Maternal Blood and Placenta From Mild Diabetic Rats.

The aim of the present study was at evaluating the effects of oxidative stress in blood and placenta of mild diabetic Wistar rats. At birth, Wistar rats received citrate buffer (nondiabetic group, n = 15) and another group received streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) to induce mild diabetes (diabetic, n = 15). The glycemia of these pregnant adult female rats were evaluated at days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of pregnancy, and at term pregnancy, the blood and placental samples were collected for oxidative stress measurements. The mild diabetes caused glycemia superior to 120 mg/dL during pregnancy, increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, and malondialdehyde levels in the blood, and catalase activity in the placenta. Thus, mild diabetes increased activities of antioxidant substances aiming at defending against the exacerbated oxidative stress but were not enough. The placenta also answered to diabetic milieu and increased antioxidant defense, showing that even a mild hyperglycemia was enough to cause placental and maternal blood changes.

Evaluation of glycemic and lipid profile of offspring of diabetic Wistar rats treated with Malpighia emarginata juice.

Knowing that maternal diabetes is related to hyperglycemia and fetal hyperinsulinemia, which affect the lipid metabolism, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Malpighia emarginata (acerola) juice on the glycemic and lipid profile of offspring of diabetic and nondiabetic Wistar rats. The adult offspring of non-diabetic dams and of dams with severe streptozotocin-induced diabetes were divided into groups: G1, offspring (of control dams) treated with water, G2, offspring (of diabetic dams) treated with water, G3, male offspring (of control dams) treated with acerola juice, and G4, male offspring (of diabetic dams) treated with acerola juice. The offspring of diabetic dams treated with acerola juice showed significantly decreased levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and increased HDL-c. The use of acerola juice is a potential strategy to aid in the prevention of DM and dyslipidemia and its complications or to act as an auxiliary in the treatment of these diseases.

Effects of Passiflora edulis on the metabolic profile of diabetic Wistar rat offspring.

Dry extract of the genus Passiflora has been shown to help control glycemia and lipid levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of passion fruit (P. edulis) on the biochemical profile of offspring from diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. The diabetes group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels greater than 200 mg/dL; the nondiabetic (control) group consisted of 10 rats with glucose levels less than 120 mg/dL. After the diagnosis of diabetes, the mating phase was started. By day 21 of pregnancy, the offspring were born; the dams were kept in individual cages with their offspring until the weaning period. The offspring were then divided into 4 groups (n=15 each): G1 were offspring from control dams, G2 were offspring from treated nondiabetic dams, G3 were offspring from diabetic dams, and G4 were offspring from treated diabetic dams. For 30 consecutive days, G1 and G3 offspring were treated with vehicle (oral gavage) and G2 and G4 offspring were treated with passion fruit juice (oral gavage). After 30-day treatment, the animals were anesthetized and killed, and blood was drawn immediately for analysis of the biochemical profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose). The G2 and G4 rats showed significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The use of passion fruit juice improved lipid profiles, suggesting that this plant may have beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemias and hyperglycemia.

Long-term nutrition education reduces several risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazilians with impaired glucose tolerance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nutrition education program (NEP) on anthropometric, dietetic, and metabolic parameters in high-risk subjects for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty-one participants, both sexes, were randomly assigned to either the control (58.8%) or the intervention (NEP) group. The intervention group received frequent individual and group nutritional counseling from a team of nutritionists. Participants were assessed at baseline (M0) and after 12 months (M1) for anthropometric, dietetic, and metabolic parameters. The hypothesis was that high-risk subjects for type 2 diabetes mellitus participating in NEP would show an improvement in these parameters. At M1, the intervention group showed a significant decline in body weight (-3.4%), body mass index (-5.7%), cholesterol intake (-49.5%), fasting glycemia (-14.0%), fasting insulin (-9.0%), postprandial glycemia (-21.0%), postprandial insulin (-71.0%), total serum cholesterol (-23.0%), and glycated hemoglobin (-24.0%). A decrease in energy intake (5%, P = .06) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (25%, P = .07) was observed in the interventional group, although it did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, the control group presented a significantly higher energy intake (19%, P = .04) and a nonsignificant increase in consumption of all macronutrients. The long-term NEP was found to improve anthropometric, dietary, and metabolic parameters in high-risk subjects for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Neonatally induced diabetes: liver glycogen storage in pregnant rats

The aim of this sstudy was to evaluate the liver glycogen storage in pregnant rats presenting neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetes and to establish a relation with glycemia and insulin levels. Wistar rats were divided in to two groups: 1) Mild Diabetes (STZ) - received streptozotocin (glycemia from 120 to 300 mg/dL), 2) Control - received vehicle (glycemia below 120 mg/dL). At days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of the pregnancy, body weight and glycemia were evaluated. At day 21 of the pregnancy, the rats were anesthetized for blood and liver collection so as to determine insulin and liver glycogen, which showed no changes in the STZ group as compared to the controls. In the STZ group, maternal weight gain were lower as compared to those in the control group. Significantly increased glycemia was observed at days 0 and 14 of the pregnancy in the STZ group. Therefore, neonatally induced diabetes in the rats did not cause metabolic changes that impaired insulin and liver glycogen relation in these rats.

Mentha piperita effects on wistar rats plasma lipids

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of Mentha piperita juice and tea on plasma lipids of Wistar rats. The animals were divided in control group (CG) and four treated groups: TG1 treated with tea and TG2 treated with juice (both receiving commercial rat chow); TG3 and TG4 were fed with supplemented fat chow (with hydrogenated fat and soybean oil) and treated respectively with tea and juice. Both tea and juice were administered by intra-gastric route (gavage) two times a day for 30 days. TG2 and TG4 animals showed significant decrease in triacylglycerols and increase in HDL-c levels. TG1 and TG2 also showed lower cholesterol values. The levels of LDL-c increased in CG but decreased in the treated groups. Animals of TG1, TG2 and TG4 showed substantial reduction in food intake and in percentage of weight gain. TG3 increased food intake but did not increase the percentage of weight gain.

Os efeitos hipolipidêmicos de algumas plantas medicinais já foram demonstrados, mas muitas plantas que são comumente utilizadas pela população precisam ser estudadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito da Mentha piperita no perfil lipídico de ratos machos Wistar. Os animais foram divididos em grupo controle (CG) e quatro grupos experimentais: TG1 e TG2 receberam ração comercial normal, sendo que TG1 foi tratado com chá e TG2 com suco de M. piperita; TG3 e TG4 receberam ração enriquecida (com gordura hidrogenada e óleo de soja), sendo que TG3 foi tratado com chá e TG4 com suco. O tratamento foi feito por via intragástrica duas vezes ao dia durante 30 dias. Os animais de TG2 e TG4 tiveram diminuição significativa nos níveis de triacilglicerídeos e aumento nos níveis de HDL-c. Houve aumento nos níveis de LDL-c em CG, mas nos demais grupos houve diminuição. TG1, TG2 e TG4 tiveram redução significativa no consumo alimentar e na porcentagem de ganho de peso. TG3 aumentou o consumo alimentar, mas não aumentou a porcentagem de ganho de peso.