The effects of maternal dietary treatments with natural PPAR ligands on lipid metabolism in fetuses from control and diabetic rats

Maternal diabetes impairs fetal development and growth. We studied the effects of maternal diets enriched in unsaturated fatty acids capable of activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) on the concentrations of 15deoxyΔ12,14PGJ2 (15dPGJ2), lipid mass, and the de novo lipid synthesis in 13.5-day fetuses from control and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by neonatal streptozotocin administration (90 mg/kg). Rats were treated with a standard diet supplemented or not with 6% olive oil or 6% safflower oil from days 0.5 to 13.5 of gestation. Fetuses from diabetic rats fed with the standard diet showed reduced 15dPGJ2 concentrations, whereas maternal treatments with olive and safflower oils increased 15dPGJ2 concentrations. Fetuses from diabetic rats showed increased concentrations of phospholipids and increased synthesis of triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids. Diabetic rat treatments with olive and safflower oils reduced phospholipids, cholesterol, and free fatty acid concentrations and the de novo lipid synthesis in the fetuses. These effects were different from those observed in fetuses from control rats, and seem not to involve PPARγ activation. In conclusion, olive oil- and safflower oil-supplemented diets provide beneficial effects in maternal diabetes, as they prevent fetal impairments in 15dPGJ2 concentrations, lipid synthesis and lipid accumulation.