Early dietary intervention: long-term effects on blood pressure, brain neuropeptide Y, and adiposity markers

Abstract

Early life nutrition impacts on subsequent risk of obesity and hypertension. Several brain chemicals responsible for both feeding and cardiovascular regulation are altered in obesity. We examined effects of early postnatal overnutrition on blood pressure, brain neuropeptide Y (NPY), and adiposity markers. Rat pup litters were adjusted to either 3 or 12 male animals (overnutrition and control, respectively) on day 1 of life. After weaning, rats were given either a palatable high-fat diet or standard chow. Smaller litter pups were significantly heavier by 17 days of age. By 16 wk, the effect of litter size was masked by that of diet, postweaning. Small and normal litter animals fed a high-fat ..