Nutrigenomic effects of fructose alone or associated with cholesterol or salt on thyroid hormone function. Influence of maternal intake

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a concerning increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases on a global scale, posing a significant challenge to public health. One of the determining factors related to diet and associated with these diseases is the rise in the consumption of added sugars, whether in the form of sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in fetal programming, influencing the optimal development of offspring. A close association has been documented between a maternal diet rich in fructose and long-term adverse effects on the health of their descendants. Nutrition also influences the metabolism of thyroid hormones, which could impact the onset of metabolic diseases. With this background, a study was conducted that analyzed the plasma concentration of free T4 and the gene expression levels of various components related to thyroid hormones in the liver and ileum of male rats descended from mothers who consumed fructose during pregnancy. The results were compared to those found in descendants of mothers who did not receive this supplement. Despite not observing changes in plasma free T4 levels, it was found that fructose consumption reduced the expression of the THRa receptor in the liver. The results also indicated that maternal fructose consumption affects the metabolism of thyroid hormones in offspring in response to both a fructose-rich diet and a Western diet high in fats and cholesterol. Keywords: Thyroid hormones; fructose; fetal programming; nutrigenomics; cholesterol; salt