Maternal dietary supplementation with saturated, but not monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids, leads to tissue-specific inhibition of offspring Na+,K+-ATPase

In rats, a maternal diet rich in lard is associated with reduced Na+, K+ATPase activity in adult offspring kidney. We have addressed the role of different fatty acids by evaluating Na+, K+ATPase activity in offspring of dams fed diets rich in saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) or polyunsaturated (MUFAPUFA) fatty acids. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed, during pregnancy and suckling, a control diet (4 w/w corn oil) or a fatty acid supplemented diet (24 w/w). Offspring were reared on chow (4 PUFA) and studied at six months. mRNA expression (RTPCR) of Na+, K+ATPase a subunit and protein expression of Na+, K+ATPase subunits (Western blot) were assessed in kidney and brain. Na+, K+ATPase activity was reduced in kidney (P