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Maternal Supplementation of Phytosterols to a High Cholesterol Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation Favorably Modulates Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism in Offspring
Author(s) -
Movsesian Cheryl,
Raslawsky Amy,
Liu Jie,
Patel Mulchand,
Rideout Todd
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.754.19
Subject(s) - offspring , endocrinology , medicine , cholesterol , pregnancy , lactation , gestation , in utero , very low density lipoprotein , biology , lipoprotein , fetus , genetics
In utero exposure to excessive fat and cholesterol has been shown to increase fetal plasma cholesterol concentration and predispose adult offspring to cardiovascular disease risk (CVD). As lipid‐lowering drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, natural cholesterol‐lowering compounds may be a safe and effective alternative to reduce CVD risk in offspring born to hypercholesterolemic mothers. This study examined if maternal phytosterol (PS) supplementation to a high cholesterol diet could deprogram maladaptive lipid and lipoprotein responses in offspring. Sixteen female apoE (‐/‐) mice were randomly assigned to two diets fed throughout the gestation and lactation periods: a cholesterol enriched (0.15%) diet (CH) or the CH diet supplemented with PS (2%, CH/PS). Compared with offspring from dams fed CH, offspring from PS‐supplemented dams demonstrated a reduction (p<0.05) in total‐C (‐28%), LDL‐C (‐63%), and triglycerides (‐52%). Offspring from PS‐fed dams also had a reduction (p<0.05) in total LDL (‐34%) and VLDL particles (‐36%). Neither HDL‐C nor total HDL particle number differed between the groups. Offspring from PS‐supplemented dams also had a reduction in hepatic cholesterol (‐35%) compared with offspring from the CH‐fed dams. Results from this study suggest that PS may be an effective lipid‐lowering therapy to reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides in offspring from hypercholesterolemic mothers. Supported by the National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (to TCR).