Programming of hepatic insulin-sensitive enzymes in offspring of
rat dams fed an isocaloric protein restricted diet.
Desai, Mina, Christopher D. Byrne, Junlong Zhang, Clive J. Petry, Alan
Lucas [acute]a, and C. Nicholas Hales .
University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Biochemistry,
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QR, U.K., Dunn
Nutritional Laboratory, University of Cambridge and Medical Research
Council, Downham's Lane, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ, U.K.
APStracts 3:0277G, 1996.
Hepatic enzymes associated with glucose haemostasis were studied in
offspring of dams fed either a 20% protein (control) or an isocaloric
8% protein (low protein) diet during pregnancy and lactation.
Additionally, offspring were exposed to maternal 8% protein diet only
during gestation (recuperated) or lactation (postnatal low protein).
The glucokinase activity was decreased (approximately 50%) whereas
the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) activity was increased
(about 100%) in the low protein and recuperated offspring compared to
the controls (p < 0.001) at 21 days of age. However, the
postnatal low protein offspring had enzyme activities comparable to
the controls. These changes were still evident in 11 month old
offspring weaned onto a normal laboratory chow. Parallel changes were
apparent in mRNA levels of glucokinase and PEPCK in the low protein
male offspring. Thus the effect of programming metabolism extends not
only to protein biochemistry but possibly also to the regulation of
gene expression. Furthermore, these changes could not be attributed
to glucagon and insulin since their ratio was comparable between the
control and low protein groups.
Received 2 July 1996; accepted in final form 6 December 1996.
APS Manuscript Number G266-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1996 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 31 December 1996