[Effect of intrauterine growth retardation on gluconeogenic enzymes in rat liver].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of gluconeogenic enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and G-6-Pase mRNA of hepatic tissue in rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and to explore the molecular mechanism of insulin resistance in IUGR rats.

METHODS

Pregnant rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a normal group and a model group. The normal group were fed with 21% protein forage and the model group with 10% low protein forage to obtain IUGR pup rats. The pup rats were introduced to the normal group and the IUGR group prospectively. At 1, 3 and 8 weeks, the body weight, blood glucose, insulin concentration and insulin resistance index of the pup rats were measured. Expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The birth weight of the IUGR group was significantly lower than that of the normal group (P<0.001). The weight of the IUGR group was still lower than that of the normal group at 1, 3 and 8 weeks. There was no significant difference in the blood glucose, insulin level and insulin resistance index between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The hepatic expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA in the IUGR group was significantly higher than that of the normal group at 1, 3 and 8 weeks (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The significantly increased expression of PEPCK and G-6-Pase mRNA of hepatic tissue in IUGR rats may increase gluconeogenesis, which is probably one of the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and diabetes in IUGR.