Caffeine is contained within many drinks and food that are consumed daily. Prenatal caffeine ingestion (PCI) is a risk factor for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). We previously observed that PCI inhibits scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)-mediated cholesterol uptake in fetal adrenals, subsequently decreasing glucocorticoid synthesis and inducing IUGR. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the long-term effects of PCI on adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis in adult male offspring rats. After establishing the PCI-induced IUGR, adult male offspring was injected intraperitoneally with 5 mg/kg·d lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 2 days to induce acute stress. We observed persistent inhibition of SR-BI expression in PCI adrenals before and after stress. Compared with the controls, the PCI offspring had higher corticosterone concentrations after stress. The serum cholesterol concentration was stable without intergroup differences before and after stress. The cholesterol concentration in PCI adrenals showed a higher decrease rate than that of the control after stress. In summary, PCI induced long-term alterations in SR-BI expression and glucocorticoid synthesis in adult male offspring rat adrenals. Cholesterol has to be over-consumed in PCI adrenals against acute stress. This study provides an experimental basis to explain the susceptibility of IUGR offspring to metabolic diseases in adults.

每天消耗的许多饮料和食物中都含有咖啡因。产前摄入咖啡因（PCI）是宫内发育迟缓（IUGR）的危险因素。我们以前观察到PCI抑制了胎儿肾上腺的清道夫受体B类I型（SR-BI）介导的胆固醇摄取，随后降低了糖皮质激素的合成并诱导了IUGR。在本研究中，我们旨在研究PCI对成年雄性后代大鼠肾上腺糖皮质激素合成的长期影响。建立PCI诱导的IUGR后，向成年雄性后代腹膜内注射5 mg / kg·d脂多糖（LPS），持续2天。我们观察到应激前后PCI肾上腺SR-BI表达的持续抑制。与对照相比，压力后，PCI后代的皮质酮浓度更高。应激前后，血清胆固醇浓度稳定，无组间差异。压力后，PCI肾上腺中的胆固醇浓度显示出比对照组更高的降低率。总之，PCI诱导成年雄性后代大鼠肾上腺SR-BI表达和糖皮质激素合成的长期改变。对抗急性应激的PCI肾上腺中胆固醇的摄入量过多。该研究为解释IUGR后代对成人代谢疾病的敏感性提供了实验基础。总之，PCI诱导成年雄性后代大鼠肾上腺SR-BI表达和糖皮质激素合成的长期改变。对抗急性应激的PCI肾上腺中胆固醇的摄入量过多。该研究为解释IUGR后代对成人代谢疾病的敏感性提供了实验基础。总之，PCI诱导成年雄性后代大鼠肾上腺SR-BI表达和糖皮质激素合成的长期改变。对抗急性应激的PCI肾上腺中胆固醇的摄入量过多。该研究为解释IUGR后代对成人代谢疾病的敏感性提供了实验基础。