(OR12-01-23) Maternal Supplementation of Prebiotic Fiber Improves Energy Balance and Protects Offspring Against Diet-Induced Obesity

Objectives: Maternal obesity increases the risk of metabolic diseases in offspring likely through unhealthy gut microbiota. We hypothesized that reversing maternal gut dysbiosis by prebiotic fiber will improve energy balance and protect offspring against obesity. We determined the effects of maternal feeding of resistant wheat starch type-4 (FiberSym®) on energy balance and glucose clearance in mothers and her offspring.

Methods: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were randomized (n=6-7/group) to either Low Fat (LF), High Fat (HF) or Prebiotic Fiber (PF, FiberSym®) diets. Litters were grouped (n=5-27/sex/group) to LF internal, HF internal, PF internal, LF-HF foster (HF pups fostered to LF mother), HF-LF foster, HF-PF foster and PF-HF foster. Pups from internal groups were nursed by their mothers, whereas, foster groups were nursed by surrogate mothers. Measurements included daily food intake (CLAMS®), weekly body weight and composition (NMR, Bruker LF110®), and meal or glucose tolerance test.

Results: Dams: Compared to HF, LF and PF dams had 7-10% lower weight and adiposity in week 2 of pregnancy, and PF decreased postprandial blood glucose compared to LF.

Offspring: In both sexes, compared to HF internal, LF and PF internal animals had 8-9% lower weight and adipose mass from week 7 to 14 of age. LF-HF foster males had 21-35% reduced weight and adipose mass than HF-LF fosters from week 9 to 13 of age. Compared to HF internal females, LF and PF females had 11% lower blood glucose.

Conclusions: Maternal consumption of an obesogenic diet increased obesity and glucose intolerance in offspring that could be reversed by a low-fat lactational diet. Importantly, maternal prebiotic fiber supplementation protected offspring against diet-induced obesity.

Funding Sources: American Heart Association Grant# 953881