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Adipose tissue remodeling in rats exhibiting fructose-induced obesity

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Abstract

Purpose

To explore the effect of a fructose-rich diet on morphological and functional changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) that could contribute to the development of insulin resistance.

Methods

Adult sedentary rats were fed a fructose-rich diet for 8 weeks. Glucose tolerance test was carried out together with measurement of plasma triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids and lipid peroxidation. In subcutaneous abdominal and intra-abdominal WAT, number and size of adipocytes together with cellular insulin sensitivity and lipolytic activity were assessed.

Results

Rats fed a fructose-rich diet exhibited a significant increase in plasma insulin, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids and lipid peroxidation, together with significantly increased body lipids and epididymal and mesenteric WAT, compared to controls. Mean adipocyte volume in subcutaneous abdominal WAT was significantly lower, while mean adipocyte volume in intra-abdominal WAT was significantly higher, in rats fed a fructose-rich diet compared to controls. A significant increase in larger adipocytes and a significant decrease in smaller adipocytes were found in intra-abdominal WAT in rats fed a fructose-rich diet compared to controls. Insulin’s ability to inhibit lipolysis was blunted in subcutaneous abdominal and intra-abdominal adipocytes from fructose-fed rats. Accordingly, lower p-Akt/Akt ratio was found in WAT in rats fed a fructose-rich diet compared to controls.

Conclusions

Long-term consumption of high levels of fructose elicits remarkable morphological and functional modifications, particularly in intra-abdominal WAT, that are highly predictive of obesity and insulin resistance and that contribute to the worsening of metabolic alterations peculiar in a fructose-rich, hypolipidic diet.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from University “Federico II” of Naples and by P.O.R. Campania FSE 2007-2013, Project CREME. The authors thank Dr. Emilia De Santis for skillful management of animal housing.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Susanna Iossa.

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Crescenzo, R., Bianco, F., Coppola, P. et al. Adipose tissue remodeling in rats exhibiting fructose-induced obesity. Eur J Nutr 53, 413–419 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0538-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-013-0538-2

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