Intrauterine growth restriction induces persistent adipose inflammation and metabolic abnormalities in rats among various postnatal growth trajectories.

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with rapid postnatal catch-up growth has been associated with adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. The long-term persistence of these abnormalities and their relationship with different catch-up growth patterns remain unclear.

Methods: To investigate the long-term metabolic consequences of IUGR in relation to different catch-up growth patterns. An experimental animal study using a rat model of IUGR induced by maternal protein restriction during gestation. Abdominal adipose tissue transcriptome profiles in male rats were analyzed at 3 and 9 months of age, considering variations in catch-up growth patterns. The primary outcomes included markers of adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic function.

Results: Among IUGR offspring, approximately 50% demonstrated slow catch-up growth and remained undernourished at 3 months of age. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic alterations that progressed with age. These abnormalities were present in both rapid and slow catch-up growth groups, although offspring with rapid catch-up growth exhibited more adverse manifestations.

Conclusion: IUGR was associated with long-term adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction, independent of catch-up growth pattern. These findings suggest that IUGR may have lasting metabolic consequences regardless of postnatal growth trajectory.