Transcriptomics based insights into potential mechanisms of maternal high fructose exposure causing offspring hypertension

[Display omitted] •High fructose exposure during maternal gestation and lactation cause hypertension in the offspring.•Maternal high fructose exposure altered gene expression and alternative splicing genes in the offspring.•Hypothalamus and kidneys may contribute to elevated blood pressure by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Fructose is found in natural foods such as honey and fruits, and it is widely added to processed foods. Globally, the prevalence of hypertension in children is on the rise, high fructose exposure during maternal gestation and lactation can affect blood pressure in the offspring; however, the mechanisms involved are still unclear. Here, We developed a maternal fructose exposure model by feeding 13% and 40% fructose drinking water, performed blood pressure testing on postnatal day 60 offspring. And we used full-length RNA sequencing to identify several terms and pathways associated with blood pressure regulation. In addition, we confirmed that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated in the hypothalamus and kidney of the offspring. In conclusion, our results suggested that maternal high fructose exposure during gestation and lactation leads to offspring hypertension and affects blood pressure regulation at the transcriptome level.