Cigarette smoke during lactation in rat female progeny: Late effects on endocannabinoid and dopaminergic systems

Publication date: Available online 15 June 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): P.N. Soares, R.A. Miranda, T.C. Peixoto, F.A.H. Caramez, D.G. Sabino, A.C. Manhães, E. de Oliveira, E.G. de Moura, P.C. LisboaAbstractAimsMaternal smoking is considered a risk factor for childhood obesity. In a rat model of tobacco exposure during breastfeeding, we previously reported hyperphagia, overweight, increased visceral fat and hyperleptinemia in adult female offspring. Obesity and eating disorders are associated with impairment in the endocannabinoid (EC) and dopaminergic (DA) systems. Considering that women are prone to eating disorders, we hypothesize that adult female Wistar rats that were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) during the suckling period would develop EC and DA systems deregulation, possibly explaining the eating disorder in this model.Material and methodsTo mimic maternal smoking, from postnatal day 3 to 21, dams and offspring were exposed to a smoking machine, 4×/day/1 h (CS group). Control animals were exposed to ambient air. Offspring were evaluated at 26 weeks of age.Key findingsConcerning the EC system, the CS group had increased expression of diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and decreased in the liver. In the visceral adipose tissue, the EC receptor (CB1r) was decreased. Regarding the DA system, the CS group showed higher dopamine transporter (DAT) protein expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and lower DA receptor (D2r) in the arc...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research