Soybean diet modulates acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase expression in livers of rats recovering from early-life malnutrition.

Objective: The present study evaluated the effect of nutritional recovery with a soybean diet on the gene and protein expressions and protein phosphorylation of several enzymes and transcription factors involved in hepatic lipid metabolism.

Methods: Rats from mothers fed with 17% or 6% protein (casein) during pregnancy and lactation were maintained with a 17% casein (CC and LC groups) or soybean (CS and LS groups) diet and with a 6% casein (LL group) diet until 90 d of life.

Results: The soybean diet enhanced serum insulin levels but decreased body and liver weights and hepatic lipid and glycogen concentrations.