Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) induces chronic
inflammation and subsequent development of complications triggered by
arteriosclerosis. Moreover,
undernutrition in pregnant rodents can induce IGT in their offspring. Here, we assessed whether
undernutrition in pregnant rats would induce chronic
inflammation in their offspring by measuring the expression levels of
inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into two groups: the control group received an American Institute of Nutrition Rodent diet (AIN-93G) ad libitum, and the
undernutrition group had their diet restricted by 50% (w/w) compared with the control group from day 10 of pregnancy until birth of the offspring. Subsequently, mothers and pups were allowed to access the AIN-93G diet freely. At day 35 after birth, male pups were fasted for 4 h and subsequently orally administered with
glucose solution (2 g/kg
body weight).
Blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) after
glucose loading was significantly greater in the
undernutrition group than the control group. The
mRNA levels for inflammatory
cytokines were increased by
glucose loading especially in the
undernutrition group. Expressions of genes encoding S100A9 and
cell adhesion molecule CD11b were increased by
glucose loading in the
undernutrition group. Thus,
undernutrition of pregnant rats during mid to late gestation induced the expression of
inflammation-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of their offspring, with the development of IGT and impaired insulin secretion.