Melatonin associated with a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation prevents liver changes in the offspring

Abstract

In the present study, we set out to determine whether melatonin combined with a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation can prevent liver disorders in offspring. Forty rats were divided into four groups: DC - pregnant rats submitted to the standard diet; DC + Mel - pregnant rats submitted to the standard diet combined with melatonin; HFD - pregnant rats submitted to a high-fat diet; HFD + Mel - pregnant rats submitted to a high-fat diet combined with melatonin. Morphophysiological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Melatonin (5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. The HFD group offspring showed an increase in AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels, and a reduction in HDL and lipase levels. In the liver obseved steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning, increased lobular parenchyma and reduced non-lobular parenchyma, beside reduced liver glycogen and fibrosis. These changes were not observed in the HFD + Mel group. In conclusion, melatonin combined with a high-fat diet preserves the liver architecture and function in the offspring.

Keywords: High-fat diet; Histophysiology; Liver; Melatonin; Morphometry; Rats.