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OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that undernutrition in utero alters the structure of conduit and resistance vessels early in development. STUDY DESIGN: We studied a rodent model in which dams were 50% food restricted from day 10 of gestation to term. Vascular smooth muscle content and vascular caliber in the offspring were examined by quantitative histologic methods and by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Maternal food restriction induced a significant increase in the smooth muscle content of 1-day- and 2-month-old offspring aortas and mesenteric arterioles of different luminal diameters. Histologic data were confirmed by Western blot analysis that showed greater expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin in 1-day-old food restriction aortas. The increase in vascular smooth muscle in the aortas was determined to be the result of cellular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the vascular smooth muscle is altered in food-restriction offspring and that this may be a mechanism for the programming of offspring hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) newborns have increased risk of obesity-induced fatty liver and inflammation. We hypothesized that IUGR-induced inhibition of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) is associated with an increased inflammatory response.Study Design: Rat control dams received ad libitum food, whereas study dams were 50% food restricted from pregnancy day 10 to 21 (IUGR). Pups were nursed by control dams and weaned to ad libitum feed. Hepatic protein expression of transcription factors, lipid enzymes, triglyceride content, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were analyzed in 1 day and 9 month old male offspring.Results: At 1 day of age, IUGR pups showed down-regulation of PPARalpha and PPARgamma and up-regulation of hepatic lipase and CRP. At 9 months of age, IUGR exhibited continued down-regulation of PPARalpha and PPARgamma with up-regulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and fatty acid synthase. Furthermore, IUGR adults had increased hepatic triglyceride content and plasma CRP levels.Conclusions: The results suggest that developmental hepatic dysregulation may contribute to programmed obesity-induced inflammation in IUGR offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]