Mitochondrial dysfunction charachterizes the multigenerational effects of maternal obesity on MASLD

Although maternal obesity is an independent risk factor for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the pathogenesis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of multigenerational maternal western diet (WD) on MASLD progression, and test drug candidates in a preclinical model. Female mice were fed WD from 8 weeks before breeding initiation with a normal chow (NC)-fed male, throughout pregnancy and lactation. Male offspring were weaned onto NC or WD and assessed at the age of 16 weeks. Maternal WD feeding aggravated body weight gain, insulin resistance, steatosis and inflammation. Fibrosis was only observed in offspring exposed to maternal WD. Mechanistically, the latter exhibited reduced OXPHOS activity. Maternal WD aggravates MASLD in male offspring, with mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to disease severity.