Organ inflammation and oxidative damages in fructose‐fed adult offspring born of fructose‐fed dams: modulation by maternal bitter melon supplementation (1033.6)

Hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in offspring born of high fructose (F)‐fed dams could be reversed by supplementing bitter melon juice extract to the F dams (FBM). However, when offspring were also fed F, only serum free fatty acid but not insulin level was normalized in those born of FBM dams. This study further examined the impacts of cross‐generation F intake on organ inflammation in the offspring and the effects of maternal BM supplementation. Virgin female rats received control (C), F (60%), or BM‐supplemented fructose (FBM; 1%) diet before conception until d 21 of lactation. Weaned offspring were fed to the C or F diet for 20 wk, forming C/C, C/F, F/F, FBM/F groups. Compared to the C/F and FBM/F rats, F/F rats had higher PPARγ gene expression in adipose tissue but lower gene methylation at the promoter region. Expression of TNFα, IL‐6 and leptin followed that of PPARγ responses to maternal F and FBM. Maternal BM dampened F‐induced hepatic inflammation, lowering SOCS3 mRNA level and JNK1 phosphorylation. There were higher activities of antioxidant enzymes and lower malondialdehyde level and JNK1 phosphorylation in the brain of FBM/F compared with the F/F group. The results show plasticity of fetal programming in that maternal BM supplementation mitigated F‐induced peripheral organ dysfunction and inflammation, and exerted neuroprotective effects against oxidative damages in the brain of adult offspring. Grant Funding Source : Supported by a HKU grant