Effects of maternal Jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation on metabolic parameters and hypothalamic cytokine markers in male offspring at weaning following maternal trans fat intake.

Maternal consumption of trans fatty acids (TFA) during pregnancy and lactation is associated with adverse metabolic and hypothalamic cytokine-related alterations in offspring. Anthocyanin-rich fruits such as Jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) may counteract these effects through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 24) were assigned to four diets during pregnancy and lactation: control (C), control +0.5% Jussara (CJ), trans fat-enriched (T), or trans fat + Jussara (TJ). Litters were standardized to eight pups, and only male offspring were analyzed at weaning (21 days). Male offspring from six litters per group were included in the analyses. Statistical analyses considered the litter as the experimental unit. Growth, biochemical, and hypothalamic cytokine-related markers were assessed. Jussara supplementation increased hypothalamic IL-10 mRNA expression, improved the IL-10/TNF-α ratio, and reduced TNF-α protein levels, while IL-6 remained unchanged. Supplemented groups showed reduced body weight gain, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels, particularly with trans fat exposure. Jussara showed antioxidant activity, and a generalized linear model supported metabolic effects. Maternal Jussara supplementation was associated with increased hypothalamic IL-10 mRNA expression, improved the IL-10/TNF-α balance, and reduced TNF-α protein levels, alongside improved metabolic parameters in male offspring exposed to a TFA-enriched maternal diet. These findings are limited to male pups, a single supplementation dose, and one early postnatal time point. Further studies should evaluate long-term, sex-specific, and mechanistic effects.