Effect of iron supplementation on glucose transporter 4 expression in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of pregnant rats

Objective: The main goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of iron supplementation on glucose transporter 4 expressions in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in female rats during pregnancy. Methods: Twenty-four pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group with a standard diet (containing iron 150 mg/kg) and an iron-supplementation group with a high-iron diet (containing iron 700 mg/kg) from day 0 to day 21 of pregnancy. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed on gestational day 19. On gestational day 21, all of the pregnant rats from each group were sacrificed. The mean neonatal weights were measured and samples of maternal intraabdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle were taken to measure the expression of Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT4) mRNA and protein. Results: Glucose tolerance decreased significantly in the iron supplementation group compared to the control group. The mean neonatal weights in the iron supplementation group were higher than that in the control group. Levels of GLUT4 mRNA in the adipose tissue were reduced by the administrations of high-iron diet. The skeletal muscle GLUT4 mRNA levels were not changed significantly by iron supplementation. Expression of GLUT4 protein both in the adipose tissue and skeletal muscle reduced significantly. Conclusion: These results suggest that iron supplementation during pregnancy would increase neonatal weights and could decrease maternal glucose tolerance by interfering GLUT4 expression in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of rats.