The Influence of Fetal Programming due to Maternal Obesity and Periodontitis on the Extensor Digitorum Longus Muscle of Wistar Rats

Introduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of fetal programming due to maternal obesity and/or periodontitis (PD) on the morphology and morphometry of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in adult offspring of Wistar rats. Methods. Twenty pregnant Wistar rats were used for formation of the parental gener- ation: one group was injected with monosodium glutamate to induce obesity (MSG, n = 30), while the control group received hyperosmotic saline (CTL, n = 30). After 70 days, 15 animals of each group were induced of PD by ligature. The animals were reassigned to four groups and crossed to form the F1 generation (n = 7/group). The offspring of dams with PD were subjected to PD induction by ligature at 90 days of age. At 120 days, the animals were euthanized, and the EDL muscle was collected and weighed for study. Results. The MSG/PD-F1 group showed a reduction in body weight compared to the PD-F1 group, as well as in retroperitoneal and periepididymal fat and EDL length compared to the MSG-F1 and PD-F1 groups. The muscle fibers had central nuclei and an amorphous shape, with differential staining in the groups with the diseases. There were significant differences in fiber density and capillary/fiber ratio between the PD-F1 and CTL-F1 groups. An increase in connective tissue was observed in the MSG-F1 group compared to CTL-F1 and in the MSG/ PD-F1 group compared to PD-F1. Conclusions. The fetal programming due to maternal obesity and PD may affect body development and muscle function of the offspring.