High-fat, high-sucrose, and combined high-fat/high-sucrose diets effects in oxidative stress and inflammation in male rats under presence or absence of obesity.

The study examines the influence of three types of hypercaloric diets on metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress in experimental model. Male Wistar rats (n = 40) were randomized in control (C), high-sucrose (HS), high-fat (HF), and high-fat with sucrose (HFHS) for 20 weeks. Nutritional, metabolic, hormonal, and biochemical profiles, as well as histological analysis of adipose and hepatic tissues were performed. Inflammation and oxidative stress were determined. HF model caused obesity and comorbidities as glucose intolerance and arterial hypertension. In relation to hormonal and biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference between the groups. All groups showed increased deposition of fat droplets in the hepatic tissue, even though adipocyte areas were similar. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in serum and adipose tissues were similar among the groups. HF model was effective in triggering associated obesity and comorbidities in male rats, but all hypercaloric diets were unable to promote oxidative stress and inflammation.

High-Fat and Combined High-Fat and Sucrose Diets Promote Cardiac Oxidative Stress Independent of Nox2 Redox Regulation and Obesity in Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxidative stress is associated with cardiometabolic alterations, and the involvement of excess glucose and fatty acids has been demonstrated in this process. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different hypercaloric diets on cardiac oxidative stress. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control (C), high-sucrose (HS), high-fat (HF), and high-fat with sucrose (HFS). Nutritional assessment, food profiles, histological analysis, comorbidities, and cardiovascular characteristics were determined. Cardiac oxidative stress was analyzed by malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated proteins, and the cardiac protein expression levels of type 1 angiotensin receptor (AT-1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (Nox2), superoxide dismutase (SOD 1 e 2), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) were determined by western blot. RESULTS: The HF group showed an increase in adiposity; however, it did not present adipocyte hypertrophy and comorbidities. Cardiac MDA and carbonylated protein levels were higher in the HF and HFS compared with the C group. The levels of oxidant and antioxidant proteins showed no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: HF and HFS dietary interventions promoted cardiac oxidative stress, in the presence and absence of obesity, respectively. However, this process was neither mediated by the pro-oxidants AT1 and Nox2, nor by the quantitative reduction of antioxidant enzymes.

Fasting/Refeeding Cycles Prevent Myocardial Dysfunction and Morphology Damage in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats / Ciclos de Jejum/Realimentação Previnem Disfunção Miocárdica e Danos Morfológicos em Ratos Espontaneamente Hipertensos

Abstract Background: Caloric restriction is known to impair the cardiac function and morphology in hypertrophied hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); however, the influence of fasting/refeeding (RF) is unknown. Objective: To investigate the fasting/refeeding approach on myocardial remodeling and function. In addition, the current study was designed to bring information regarding the mechanisms underlying the participation of Ca2+ handling and b-adrenergic system. Methods: Sixty-day-old male SHR rats were submitted to food ad libitum (C), 50% food restriction (R50) or RF cycles for 90 days. Cardiac remodeling was assessed by ultrastructure analysis and isolated papillary muscle function. The level of significance considered was 5% (a = 0.05). Results: The RF rats presented lower cardiac atrophy than R50 in relation to C rats. The C rats increased weight gain, R50 maintained their initial body weight and RF rats increased and decreased weight during RF. The RF did not cause functional impairment because the isotonic and isometric parameters showed similar behavior to those of C. The isotonic and isometric cardiac parameters were significantly elevated in RF rats compared to R50 rats. In addition, the R50 rats had cardiac damage in relation to C for isotonic and isometric variables. While the R50 rats showed focal changes in many muscle fibers, the RF rats displayed mild alterations, such as loss or disorganization of myofibrils. Conclusion: Fasting/refeeding promotes cardiac beneficial effects and attenuates myocardial injury caused by caloric restriction in SHR rats, contributing to reduce the cardiovascular risk profile and morphological injuries. Furthermore, RF promotes mild improvement in Ca2+ handling and b-adrenergic system.

Resumo Fundamento: A restrição calórica compromete a função e a morfologia cardíacas em corações hipertrofiados de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR). No entanto, a influência de ciclo de jejum/Realimentação é desconhecida. Objetivo: Investigar o efeito de ciclos de jejum/realimentação sobre a remodelação e função miocárdica. Além disso, o presente estudo foi desenhado para avaliar os mecanismos subjacentes à participação do trânsito de cálcio (Ca+2) e sistema beta-adrenérgico. Métodos: Neste estudo, SHR machos de 60 dias de idade foram submetidos a alimento ad libitum (grupo C), 50% de restrição alimentar (grupo R50) ou ciclos de RF (grupo RF) por 90 dias. A remodelação cardíaca foi avaliada por meio da análise ultraestrutural e função do músculo papilar isolado. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 5% (a = 0,05). Resultados: Os ratos do grupo RF apresentaram menor atrofia cardíaca do que os do grupo R50 em relação aos do grupo C. Os ratos do grupo C aumentaram peso corporal, os ratos do grupo R50 mantiveram seu peso corporal inicial e os ratos do grupo RF aumentaram e reduziram seu peso durante o ciclo RF. O ciclo RF não causou comprometimento funcional, pois os parâmetros isotônicos e isométricos apresentaram comportamento similar aos dos ratos do grupo C. Os parâmetros cardíacos isotônicos e isométricos mostraram-se significativamente elevados nos ratos do grupo RF em comparação aos dos ratos do grupo R50. Além disso, os ratos do grupo R50 apresentaram dano cardíaco em comparação aos ratos do grupo C quanto às variáveis isotônicas e isométricas. Os ratos do grupo R50 apresentaram alterações focais em muitas fibras musculares, enquanto os ratos do grupo RF apresentaram leves alterações, como perda ou desorganização de miofibrilas. Conclusão: Ciclos de Jejum/Realimentação promovem efeitos benéficos cardíacos e atenuam o dano miocárdico causado por restrição calórica em SHR, contribuindo para reduzir o risco cardiovascular e os danos morfológicos. Além disso, o ciclo de jejum/realimentação promove leve melhora do trânsito do Ca2+ e do sistema beta-adrenérgico.

Differential Effects of High Sugar, High Lard or a Combination of Both on Nutritional, Hormonal and Cardiovascular Metabolic Profiles of Rodents.

BACKGROUND: Dietary interventions in rodents can induce an excess of adipose tissue and metabolic disorders that resemble human obesity. Nevertheless, these approaches are not standardized, and the phenotypes may vary distinctly among studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different dietary interventions on nutritional, metabolic, biochemical, hormonal, and cardiovascular profiles, as well as to add to development and characterization of an experimental model of obesity. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control diet (C), high-sugar (HS), high-fat (HF), or high-sugar and high-fat (HFHS). Weekly measurements of body weight, adiposity, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, blood pressure (BP) and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol level, and leptin were performed. RESULTS: HF and HFHS models were led to obesity by increases in adipose tissue deposition and the adiposity index. All hypercaloric diets presented systolic BP increases. In addition, the AUC for glucose was greater in HF and HFHS than in C, and only the HF group presented hyperleptinemia. CONCLUSIONS: HF and HFHS diet approaches promote obesity and comorbidities, and thus represent a useful tool for studying human obesity-related disorders. By contrast, the HS model did not prove to be a good model of obesity.

Fasting/Refeeding Cycles Prevent Myocardial Dysfunction and Morphology Damage in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

BACKGROUND: Caloric restriction is known to impair the cardiac function and morphology in hypertrophied hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR); however, the influence of fasting/refeeding (RF) is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the fasting/refeeding approach on myocardial remodeling and function. In addition, the current study was designed to bring information regarding the mechanisms underlying the participation of Ca2+ handling and b-adrenergic system. METHODS: Sixty-day-old male SHR rats were submitted to food ad libitum (C), 50% food restriction (R50) or RF cycles for 90 days. Cardiac remodeling was assessed by ultrastructure analysis and isolated papillary muscle function. The level of significance considered was 5% (a = 0.05). RESULTS: The RF rats presented lower cardiac atrophy than R50 in relation to C rats. The C rats increased weight gain, R50 maintained their initial body weight and RF rats increased and decreased weight during RF. The RF did not cause functional impairment because the isotonic and isometric parameters showed similar behavior to those of C. The isotonic and isometric cardiac parameters were significantly elevated in RF rats compared to R50 rats. In addition, the R50 rats had cardiac damage in relation to C for isotonic and isometric variables. While the R50 rats showed focal changes in many muscle fibers, the RF rats displayed mild alterations, such as loss or disorganization of myofibrils. CONCLUSION: Fasting/refeeding promotes cardiac beneficial effects and attenuates myocardial injury caused by caloric restriction in SHR rats, contributing to reduce the cardiovascular risk profile and morphological injuries. Furthermore, RF promotes mild improvement in Ca2+ handling and b-adrenergic system.