Summary
Numerous studies show an association between poor fetal growth and adult insulin resistance. Recent studies have shown relation between the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle membranes and insulin sensitivity. More detailed analysis has indicated that the activity of Δ5 desaturase is inversely correlated to insulin resistance. The amount of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n3) is also thought to play a part in determining insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that early growth retardation in the rat, as a result of maternal protein restriction, would lead to alterations in desaturase activities similar to those observed in human insulin resistance. There were no differences in phospholipid fatty acid composition in liver or muscle from control and low protein rats. In both muscle and liver the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to docosapentaenoic acid was, however, reduced in low protein offspring. Direct measurement of Δ5 desaturase activity in hepatic microsomes showed a reduction (p < 0.03) in the low protein offspring which was negatively corrrelated (r = – 0.855) with fasting plasma insulin. No correlation was observed in controls. These results show that it is possible to programme the activity of key enzymes involved in the desaturation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. This is possibly a mechanism linking fetal growth retardation to insulin resistance. [Diabetologia (1998) 41: 1337–1342]
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 25 March 1998 and in final revised form: 17 June 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ozanne, S., Martensz, N., Petry, C. et al. Maternal low protein diet in rats programmes fatty acid desaturase activities in the offspring. Diabetologia 41, 1337–1342 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001250051074
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001250051074