Maternal high-fructose corn syrup consumption causes insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in offspring via DNA methylation of the Pparα promoter region

There are concerns about the negative effects of fructose intake during pregnancy on the next generation. We have previously reported that offspring from dams fed with fructose during gestation and lactation demonstrate abnormal lipid metabolism in the liver. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the effects of maternal high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption on offspring. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with 20% HFCS water solution during gestation and lactation. Offspring were put on a normal diet after weaning, and the serum parameters and gene expression patterns were studied at predetermined intervals. Offsprings from pregnant rats fed with 20% HFCS (HFCS group) developed insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia at 60 d of age. RNA-seq analysis demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) expression is downregulated by maternal HFCS intake. Hepatic Ppar alpha expression in the HFCS group appeared to be suppressed by the enhanced DNA methylation of its promoter region. It is suggested that the development of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in the HFCS group may be attributable to aberrant Ppar alpha methylation in the offspring liver. Ppar alpha hypermethylation may be one of molecular mechanism underlying the toxicity of maternal fructose intake. (C) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

There are concerns about the negative effects of fructose intake during pregnancy on the next generation. This study found that maternal high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption led to insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia in offspring. The downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) expression and enhanced DNA methylation of its promoter region were identified as potential molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.