High-fat, high-carbohydrate diet-induced experimental model of metabolic syndrome in rats

Purpose. The study is focused on development of high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet-induced experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MS) in rats.

Materials and methods. The 6-week old Wistar rats (n = 20) were used for study. Rats were separated into control and experimental groups. The rats from the control group were fed standard rat chow. The rats from the experimental group had a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet rich in lard (17%) and fructose (17%) and  drank 20% fructose solution. At the end of the study, body weight and blood pressure (BP) were assessed. After 12 weeks of a diet load, an oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were carried out. Lipid and protein biochemical parameters in plasma were analyzed. Adipose tissue and liver were measured at the end of the study. The levels of triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesterol (Сh) in the liver were determined by enzymatic methods.

Results. High-fat, high-carbohydrate diet feeding in rats for 12 weeks led to BP elevation and increase in the adipose tissue/body weight ratio. Hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance were found in rats with MS by means of GTT and ITT. Elevation of plasma TAG level was observed in the experimental group, although plasma total Сh and HDL-Ch did not differ from those of controls. Liver/body weight ratio and the level of TAG and Ch in the liver were elevated in rats with MS.

Conclusion. Experimental rat model of diet-induced MS reproduces many aspects of MS in humans. This model may be useful for studying the pathophysiology of MS and methods for its prevention and treatment.

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