Impact of perinatal exposure to sucrose or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS‐55) on adiposity and hepatic lipid composition in rat offspring

摘要

Key points class="unordered" style="list-style-type:disc" id="tjp12377-list-0001">Fructose‐containing sugars, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), have been implicated in the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes.Few studies have evaluated the impact of perinatal exposure to these sugars on metabolic and physiological outcomes in the offspring.Using a rat model, offspring exposed to a maternal sucrose or HFCS diet during the prenatal and/or suckling periods were found to have altered adiposity and liver fat content and composition at weaning.Plasma levels of free fatty acids remained elevated in young adulthood, but consumption of a control diet following weaning appeared to ameliorate most other effects of perinatal exposure to a maternal high‐sugar diet.Guidelines for maternal nutrition should advise limiting consumption of fructose‐containing sugars, and it is particularly important that these recommendations include maternal nutrition during lactation.