Both Maternal Low-Protein and Neonatal Overnutrition Result in Similar Changes to Glomerular Morphology and Renal Cortical Oxidative Stress Measures in Male Wistar Rats.

There is a strong correlation between inadequate gestational and postpartum nutrition with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. The present study investigates the effects of maternal low-protein and neonatal overfeeding on the oxidative balance and morphology of the renal cortex of male Wistar rats. Two independent protocols were used. First, pregnant Wistar rats received diets containing either 17% (normal protein) or 8% (low protein) casein throughout pregnancy and lactation. Second, the litter size was reduced by one-third on the third postnatal day to induce overnourishment in offspring. In experimental age, the oxidative balance and morphology of the renal cortex analyses were performed in the kidney cortex. Results showed small but significant increase in renal corpuscle area in low protein (LP, 5%) and overnutrition (ON, 8%). Glomerular tuft area also increases in LP (6%) and ON (9%), as did glomerular cellularity (LP +11% and ON, +12%). In the oxidative stress analyses, both nutritional insult significantly elevated lipid peroxidation (LP +18% and ON +135%) and protein oxidation (LP +40% and ON, +65%), while significantly reducing non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses measured by reduced glutathione (LP, -32%; ON, -45%) and total thiol content (LP, -28%; ON, -24%), respectively. In enzymatic defense we observe decrease in superoxide dismutase (LP -78% and ON -51%), catalase (LP -18% and ON -61%) and GST (only in ON -44%). Our results demonstrate that nutritional insults, even those of a very different nature, occurring during perinatal development can result in similar changes in oxidative parameters and glomerular morphology in the renal cortex.