Effects of long-term consumption of a high-fructose diet on conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Sprague-Dawley rats.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effects of a high-fructose (HF) diet on cardiovascular risks in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve rats were randomly assigned to standard chow or HF diet for 20 weeks. Systolic blood pressure and circulating insulin, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels were significantly higher in the HF group. Aortic sections appeared normal, but liver sections from the HF group showed lipid accretion, mild inflammation, and bile pigmentation. Liver samples from the HF group showed significantly higher total lipid levels and changes in fatty acid profile. Levels of 160, cis-9-182, cis-11-201, cis-13-201, cis-11-202 and 240 were significantly raised in the phospholipid fraction. Lower levels of cis-11-181, cis-9-182, and cis-11-201 and increased levels of 161, cis-9-181, and cis-13-201 were found in the non-esterified fatty acid fraction. HF-feeding resulted in significant reductions in plasma levels of certain inflammatory biomarkers. HF intake over time may negatively impact cardiovascular health and liver function in rats.