Maternal high-fat diet reduces hepatic CoQ in newborn rats

Abstract

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is crucial for fetal and neonatal health. Intrauterine insults can disrupt energy metabolism and mitochondrial function, promoting oxidative stress [1–3]. This study aimed to assess the impact of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) on liver mitochondrial function, Coenzyme Q (CoQ) levels, and glutathione status in offspring at weaning. For this purpose, eight female Wistar rats were assigned to either a standard diet (16 % kcal from fat) or an HFD (60 % kcal from fat) during pregnancy and lactation. On postnatal day 21, offspring (n = 18; 9 per group) were evaluated for growth parameters, liver oxidative stress markers, and mitochondrial complex activities...