Maternal obesity damages the median eminence blood-brain barrier structure and function in the progeny: the beneficial impact of cross-fostering by lean mothers

Abstract

Maternal dietary habits directly influence offspring health. In this study, we aimed at determining the impact of maternal obesity on BBB integrity. We show that DIO offspring presented a leakier ME–BBB, accompanied by changes in the expression of transcripts encoding for endothelial and tanycytic proteins, as well as of hypothalamic neuropeptides. Breastfeeding in lean dams was sufficient to protect the offspring from ME–BBB disruption, providing a preventive strategy of nutritional intervention during early life.