A history of opioid exposure in females increases the risk of metabolic disorders in their future male offspring. (28th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Toorie, Anika M.; Vassoler, Fair M.; Qu, Fangfang; Schonhoff, Christopher M.; Bradburn, Steven; Murgatroyd, Christopher A.; Slonim, Donna K.; Byrnes, Elizabeth M.
• Is Part Of: Addiction biology. Volume 26:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-11-28
• Subjects: corticosterone -- glucose dyshomeostasis -- intergenerational -- metabolism -- NPY -- POMC; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/adb.12856
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6215

Abstract

Abstract: Worldwide consumption of opioids remains at historic levels. Preclinical studies report intergenerational effects on the endogenous opioid system of future progeny following preconception morphine exposure. Given the role of endogenous opioids in energy homeostasis, such effects could impact metabolism in the next generation. Thus, we examined diet‐induced modifications in F1 male progeny of morphine‐exposed female rats (MORF1). When fed a high fat‐sugar diet (FSD) for 6 weeks, MORF1 males display features of emerging metabolic syndrome; they consume more food, gain more weight, and develop fasting‐induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. In the hypothalamus, proteins involved in energy homeostasis are modified and RNA sequencing revealed down‐regulation of genes associated with neuronal plasticity, coupled with up‐regulation of genes associated with immune, inflammatory, and metabolic processes that are specific to FSD‐maintained MORF1 males. Thus, limited preconception morphine exposure in female rats increases the risk of metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes in the next generation. Abstract : We investigated the effects of limited adolescent morphine exposure in female rats (F0) on metabolic outcomes in adult male offspring maintained on a high/fat sugar diet (FSD). Significant effects of maternal opioid exposure on bodyweight gain, food consumption and fasting glucose levels were observed in adult F1 FSD males, which were coincident with increased fasting insulin, fasting corticosterone as well as alterations in hypothalamic transcription and translation. These findings demonstrate an interaction between maternal opioid history and offspring dietary conditions on the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.