Chromium restriction in the intrauterine environment and development of metabolic diseases in mice offspring

Abstract

Objective: A detrimental intrauterine environment generated by a chromium-restricted diet has been implicated in the development of metabolic diseases in adulthood, but the etiology remains unknown. Methodology: A sample of 24 BALB/c female adult mice were separated into two groups, where mice in group 1 were fed ad libitum with normal animal chow, whereas mice in group 2 received a chromium-restricted diet (0.125 mg Cr/kg diet) for 12 weeks. After determining their chromium levels, animals were allowed to mate and pregnancy were counted based on vaginal plug appearance. The same chromium-restricted diet regime was continued throughout pregnancy. After birth, pups were kept on the mother’s diet until the age of 15 months, and their behavior and movements were monitored. At five and 15 months postnatal, the blood glucose, serum insulin, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels were measured. After reaching the age of 15 months, the offspring were sacrificed and the pancreas, kidney, adipose tissue, and uterine tissue were removed to assess the cytostructure. Results: The animals in group 2 exhibited aberrant behavior, and mobility patterns. Compared with the controls in group 1, the offspring in group 2 had elevated blood glucose, serum insulin, cholesterol, and HDLc levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated alterations in the pancreas, kidneys, and uterus parenchyma, which were validated by anti-islet-1, kidney-specific (Ksp) cadherin, and anti-MLH antibody staining, thereby demonstrating the impacts of chromium restriction on key organs to ultimately lead to metabolic alterations and diseases later in life. Conclusion: In utero chromium restriction induced diabetes and atherosclerosis in the endocrine pancreas, kidney, and uterus, with less parenchymal tissue.