Maternal supplementation of α-linolenic acid in normal and protein-restricted diets modulate lipid metabolism, adipose tissue growth and leptin levels in the suckling offspring

Background Lipid quantity and quality have been shown to affect serum cholesterol, adipose and serum leptin levels during prenatal and postnatal dietary supplementation of adult rats. Maternal protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation also affects polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels in the offspring. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA; n-3) on n-3 PUFA accretion, lipid profile, leptin levels and adipose growth in normal and protein-restricted (deficient) dams and their suckling pups. Methods Garden cress oil rich in ALA (32 %) was supplemented in the normal and protein-restricted (10 %) diets and fed to rats for 8 weeks prior to gestation and during lactation. PUFA, cholesterol, triglycerides, leptin levels and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue weight (WAT) of the dams and the pups were analyzed at 3 weeks after delivery. Results The serum cholesterol levels were remarkably decreased (p < 0.01), and the n-3 PUFA levels were markedly increased (p < 0.05) in the pups of lactating normal and protein-deficient dams supplemented with ALA. Triglycerides were unaltered in the dams and the pups of different dietary groups. Serum leptin levels and relative WAT weights were lower (p < 0.01) in the pups of the ALA-supplemented normal and protein-deficient dams. Conclusion Maternal supplementation of ALA in normal and protein-restricted diets modulates n-3 PUFA levels, cholesterol, leptin levels and also adipose growth in the suckling offspring.