Fatty acid and lipid metabolism in liver of pregnant mice and their offspring is influenced by unbalanced folates/vitamin B12 diets

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2020Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty AcidsAuthor(s): Erika Castaño-Moreno, Valeska Castillo, Reyna Penailillo, Miguel N. Llanos, Rodrigo Valenzuela, Ana María RoncoAbstractMicronutrients (folates and vitamin B12) and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are linked through the one carbon cycle. We studied the effects of pre and postnatal high FA/low B12 diets (HFLB12) on hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were divided in two groups: control (2mg folic acid: FA/25 µg vitamin B12/Kg food) and HFLB12 diets (8mg FA/5µg vitamin B12/Kg food). Offspring continued on the same diets until 60 days old. We determined hepatic fatty acid profile in dams and offspring and the expression of PPARα, Cpt-1, Acox-1 and Fas and the enzymatic activity of desaturases, all involved in lipid metabolism. In liver of dams, the HFHB12 diet decreased total fatty acids and desaturase activities; in offspring, effects were opposite, being more noticeable in females. Prenatal and postnatal unbalanced folic acid/B12 diets play a crucial role in regulating genes and enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in liver of dams and their offspring in adulthood.
Source: Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) - Category: Lipidology Source Type: research