High-fat diet during pregnancy compromises offspring's lung health
Researchers studied four groups of mice pups: Two groups were born to mothers who were fed a high-fat diet ("high-fat maternal") and then either continued a high-fat diet or switched to a normal-fat diet at weaning. The other two groups were born to mothers that followed a normal-fat diet ("normal maternal") during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, those pups were fed either a high-fat diet or a normal diet. The research team examined lung structure from both groups, as well as several markers of inflammation and allergy response, including: airway resistance (how easily air flows through the respiratory tract), a hallmark feature of asthma; the amount and composition of the cells in the airways; and the concentration of inflammatory chemicals in the lungs. All of the pups whose moms consumed a high-fat diet had increased airway resistance, even those who weaned to a normal-fat diet. Higher airway resistance is commonly seen in asthma attacks ...