Gender-specific programmed hepatic lipid dysregulation in intrauterine growth-restricted offspring

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth restriction demonstrates increased risk of adult metabolic syndrome. The associated hyperlipidemia results from obesity or programmed metabolic abnormalities. Because lipid homeostasis is regulated by the liver, we hypothesized that hepatic structure and lipid content in intrauterine growth restriction would reflect a primary lipid dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: From 10 days to term gestation, control pregnant rats received ad libitum diet; study rats were 25% food-restricted ( FR). All dams received ad libitum diet throughout lactation. At 3 weeks of age, hepatic lobule size and lipid profile of the pups were determined. RESULTS: At 3 weeks of age, body and liver weights of the pups were comparable with controls, although with reduced hepatic lobule size. FR males had increased hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol content with elevated sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and lipoprotein lipase expression; FR females exhibited decreased hepatic cholesterol levels. Plasma lipid levels were unchanged in FR males and females. CONCLUSION: Developmental programming results in sex-dependent altered lipid metabolism with increased risk in males.