Maternal low-protein diet induces changes in the cardiovascular autonomic modulation in male rat offspring

Abstract Background and aims Maternal undernutrition induces development of the arterial hypertension. We investigated the effects of a maternal low-protein diet on cardiovascular autonomic control in the offspring. Methods and results Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the diets of their mothers during gestation and lactation: the control (normal protein, NP, 17% casein; n  = 14) and low-protein (LP, 8% casein; n  = 14) groups. Direct measurements of arterial pressure (AP) were recorded from wakeful 90-day-old male offspring. The LP offspring presented higher mean AP than did the NP rats (NP: 93 ± 4 vs. LP: 113 ± 2 mmHg; p p p p p p Conclusion The rats subjected to protein malnutrition presented an increase in the cardiovascular sympathetic tone, which contributed to the elevated AP observed in these animals.