Melatonin ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver induced by high-fat diet in rats

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly recognized condition that may progress to end-stage liver disease, which ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are key pathophysiological mechanisms in NAFLD. We investigate the preventive effects of intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg, daily, respectively) in NAFLD rats induced by high-fat diets for 12 wk. Liver damage was evaluated by serological analysis, serum and hepatic lipid assay as well as hematoxylin-eosin staining in liver sections. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation were assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in liver. The results showed that high-fat diet induced oxidative stress with extensive liver steatosis in rats. Melatonin (5 or 10 mg/kg) was effective in reducing hepatic steatosis and inflammation with lowering serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and levels liver total cholesterol and triglycerides in high-fat diet rats. Moreover, melatonin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) increased SOD and GSH-Px activities and the 10 mg/kg dose of melatonin reduced MDA levels in liver. This study shows that melatonin exerts protective effects against fatty liver in rats induced by high-fat diet possibly through its antioxidant actions.     

Phytosterols do not change susceptibility to obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes induced by a high-fat diet in mice

Most studies have focused on the cholesterol-lowering activity of phytosterols; however, other biological actions have also been attributed to these plant compounds. In this study, we investigated whether phytosterols could delay (progression phase) and/or reverse (regression phase) insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus in an experimental mouse model of diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Body mass, plasma lipid levels, insulin resistance, and hyperglycemia were determined. Phytosterol intake did not improve these metabolic parameters. Therefore, we were unable to substantiate any protective effect of phytosterol intake on diabetes development or regression in the mouse model used.     

Prolonged endothelial-dependent and -independent arterial dysfunction induced in the rat by short-term feeding with a high-fat,high-sucrose diet

Obesity induced by long-term consumption of a fat-rich diet causes marked endothelial dysfunction. In this study we aimed to determine whether endothelial impairment is due to obesity or the diet per se. Wistar rats were fed either standard laboratory chow throughout (controls), or given a highly palatable diet (diet-fed) for 3 days, or fed the diet for 3 days and then returned to chow for 3 further days before sacrifice (diet-to-chow). Body weight, fat and gastrocnemius muscle mass, and plasma levels of glucose, insulin and leptin were all comparable between the three groups. Diet-fed rats had significantly raised plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA; P=0.0005) and triglyceride levels (P=0.00001). The diet-to-chow group had intermediate plasma NEFA and triglyceride levels (significantly higher than in controls, P=0.019 and P=0.0035 for NEFA and triglycerides, respectively). There were no changes in noradrenaline and KCl responses in mesenteric arteries, whereas vasorelaxation to both carbamylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were significantly attenuated in the diet-fed group (by up to 18%; P=0.00001). Both these responses remained largely impaired in the diet-to-chow group. By contrast, histamine-induced vasorelaxation was comparable between all three groups. Thus, short-term feeding with a palatable diet induces marked endothelium-dependent and -independent arterial dysfunction. These effects occurred in the absence of obesity and largely persisted after removal of the palatable diet. Diet per se can have important detrimental effects on arterial function, which may be mediated by raised NEFA and/or triglyceride levels.     

Overexpression of lipoprotein lipase improves insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet in transgenic rabbits

Aims/hypothesis Dysfunctions of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) have been found to be associated with dyslipidaemias, atherosclerosis, obesity and insulin resistance. There are two conflicting hypotheses regarding the roles of LPL in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Whether systemically increased LPL activity would be beneficial or detrimental to insulin sensitivity is yet to be resolved. To address this issue, we studied transgenic rabbits overexpressing human LPL transgene.Methods LPL transgenic and control rabbits were fed a 10% high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. To evaluate glucose metabolism, we compared plasma levels of glucose and insulin in transgenic rabbits with control rabbits and performed an intravenous glucose tolerance test. In addition, we measured adipose tissue accumulation in HFD-fed rabbits.Results Increased LPL activity in transgenic rabbits resulted in a significant reduction of plasma triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, but not in basal levels of glucose and insulin. HFD feeding induced an elevation of plasma glucose levels accompanied by hyperinsulinaemia in control rabbits, but was significantly inhibited in transgenic rabbits. The intravenous glucose tolerance test showed that transgenic rabbits had faster glucose clearance associated with lower levels of insulin secretion than control rabbits. In addition, there was a significant reduction of body adipose tissue in transgenic rabbits compared with in control rabbits fed an HFD. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that adipocytes in transgenic rabbits were predominately small cells.Conclusions/interpretation Our results showed that systemically increased LPL activity improves insulin resistance and reduces adipose accumulation in transgenic rabbits, indicating that systemic elevation of LPL may have potential benefits for the treatment of insulin resistance and obesity.Abbreviations ACO acyl-CoA oxidase - CPT1 carnitine-palmitoyl-transferase-1 - HFD high-fat diet - LPL lipoprotein lipase - MRI magnetic resonance imaging - PPAR peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - TG triglycerides     

大蒜素对高脂饮食致大鼠肝慢性损伤的影响

目的观察大蒜素对高脂饮食致大鼠发生肝脏慢性损伤时,大鼠肝功能及肝组织病理形态学的变化。方法以高脂饮食复制大鼠慢性肝损伤组模型,大蒜素分别按大剂量（1 ml/kg）、小剂量（0.5 ml/kg）灌胃给药。分别于4周、8周、12周末腹主动脉采血测定血浆丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）,取肝组织用于组织病理切片的制备及丙二醛（MDA）及甘油三脂（TG）水平的检测。结果大蒜素可降低血清ALT、肝脏MDA及4周末TG水平;减轻肝细胞脂肪变性或炎症细胞的浸润。结论大蒜素对高脂饮食致大鼠肝慢性损伤有明显保护作用。     

替米沙坦对高糖高脂喂养大鼠一氧化氮和一氧化氮合酶的影响

目的 观察替米沙坦对高糖、高脂喂养大鼠血清一氧化氮(NO)和内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)的影响.方法 30只SD大鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组和用药组,模型组和用药组给予高糖、高脂饲料喂养,用药组同时给予替米沙坦6 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃10周.实验结束时测定NO、eNOS含量,取大鼠主动脉弓电镜观察.结果 模型组与空白对照组比较,NO明显降低(30.50±5.40和39.34±7.34,P＜0.01),eNOS明显降低(35.07±6.59和47.07±6.56,P＜0.01),电镜下可观察到内膜破损、内皮细胞脱落;用药组与模型组比较,NO升高(37.42±5.75和30.50±5.40,P70.05),eNOS明显升高(44.8±7.00和35.07±6.59,P＜0.01),电镜下可观察到内膜完整接近空白对照组.结论 替米沙坦可使高糖、高脂喂养大鼠NO和eNOS含量升高.     

Cardioprotective effects of metformin and vildagliptin in adult rats with insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet

Insulin resistance has been shown to be associated with cardiac sympathovagal imbalance, myocardial dysfunction, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. Whereas metformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug to improve insulin resistance, vildagliptin is a novel oral antidiabetic drug in a group of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in which its cardiac effect is unclear. This study aimed to determine the cardiovascular effects of metformin and vildagliptin in rats with insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet. Male Wistar rats were fed with either a normal diet or high-fat diet (n =24 each) for 12 wk. Rats in each group were divided into three subgroups to receive the vehicle, metformin (30 mg/kg, twice daily), or vildagliptin (3 mg/kg, once daily) for another 21 d. Heart rate variability (HRV), cardiac function, and cardiac mitochondrial function were determined and compared among these treatment groups. Rats exposed to a high-fat diet developed increased body weight, visceral fat, plasma insulin, cholesterol, oxidative stress, depressed HRV, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. Metformin and vildagliptin did not alter body weight and plasma glucose levels but decreased the plasma insulin, total cholesterol, and oxidative stress levels. Although both metformin and vildagliptin attenuated the depressed HRV, cardiac dysfunction, and cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, vildagliptin was more effective in this prevention. Furthermore, only vildagliptin prevented cardiac mitochondrial membrane depolarization caused by consumption of a high-fat diet. We concluded that vildagliptin is more effective in preventing cardiac sympathovagal imbalance and cardiac dysfunction, as well as cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction, than metformin in rats with insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet.     

Different origin of hypertriglyceridemia induced by a high-fat and a high-sucrose diet in ventromedial hypothalamic-lesioned obese and normal rats

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the mechanism by which plasma triacylglycerol is affected by a high fat or a sucrose diet. DESIGN: Two sets of six groups each having six rats were prepared-(1) ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH)-lesioned rats fed a standard diet; (2) sham VMH-lesioned rats fed a standard diet; (3) VMH-lesioned rats fed a high-fat diet; (4) sham VMH-lesioned rats fed a high-fat diet; (5) VMH-lesioned rats fed a high-sucrose diet; and (6) sham VMH-lesioned rats fed a high-sucrose diet. After VMH lesions and sham operations, the rats were provided standard, high-fat and high sucrose diets for 2 weeks. Two weeks later, blood samples were collected after overnight fast to determine plasma triacylglycerol (TAG), hepatic triacylglycerol secretion rate (TGSR), fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of triacylglycerol and postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL), plasma glucose, insulin and leptin. RESULTS: Values of TAG, TGSR, FCR and LPL in VMH-lesioned obese rats were all greater than those in sham-operated rats, regardless of the diet fed. In sham-operated rats, high-fat diet fed rats showed higher TAG with similar TGSR, higher LPL and lower FCR than those of standard diet fed rats. High-sucrose diet fed rats showed significantly higher TAG with higher TGSR, higher LPL and lower FCR than those of standard diet fed rats. Moreover, high-sucrose diet fed rats showed higher TAG with higher TGSR, lower LPL and higher FCR than those of high-fat diet fed rats. In VMH-lesioned rats, high-fat diet fed rats showed higher TAG with similar TGSR, higher LPL and lower FCR than those of standard diet fed rats. High-sucrose diet fed rats showed markedly higher TAG with notably higher TGSR, higher LPL and lower FCR than those of standard diet fed rats. High-sucrose diet fed rats showed still higher TAG with markedly higher TGSR, similar LPL and higher FCR than those of high-fat diet fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanism by which TAG metabolism is affected by a high-fat or a high-sucrose diet differed; a high-fat diet increased plasma TAG level by lowering removal of TAG without increase in hepatic TAG secretion in sham-operated (normal) rats. A high-sucrose diet, in contrast, induced much higher plasma TAG levels by both increased hepatic TAG secretion and decreased removal of TAG. The effects of a high-fat or a high-sucrose diet were similar but exaggerated in VMH lesioned animals.     

Longitudinal analysis of murine steatohepatitis model induced by chronic exposure to high-fat diet

Several lines of epidemiological evidence have suggested that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is closely associated with obesity in humans. However, the precise mechanisms of the progression of NASH and its key metabolic abnormalities remain to be elucidated. We found that long-term high-fat diet (HFD) exposure induces NASH, with excess body weight, hyperinsulinemia and hypercholesteremia in mice. Longitudinal analysis of the model showed that steatohepatitis was induced after onset of metabolic abnormalities. In addition, we found that expression of MCP-1 mRNA was induced in the liver before induction of TNFalpha and type I collagen alpha1 mRNAs, and prior to onset of steatohepatitis. We confirmed that hepatic MCP-1 contents were increased in mice fed HFD for 50 weeks, although the precise role of MCP-1 in the development of NASH remains to be addressed. The mouse model was also characterized by moderate reductions in catalase activity and glutathione content, as well as by overexpression of fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and FAT/CD36 mRNAs in the liver. The murine NASH model apparently mimics clinical aspects of the condition and provides insight into NASH.     

Glucagon receptor antagonism improves islet function in mice with insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet

Aims/hypothesis Increased glucagon secretion predicts deterioration of glucose tolerance, and high glucagon levels contribute to hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes. Inhibition of glucagon action may therefore be a potential novel target to reduce hyperglycaemia. Here, we investigated whether chronic treatment with a glucagon receptor antagonist (GRA) improves islet dysfunction in female mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Materials and methods After 8 weeks of HFD, mice were treated with a small molecule GRA (300 mg/kg, gavage once daily) for up to 30 days. Insulin secretion was studied after oral and intravenous administration of glucose and glucagon secretion after intravenous arginine. Islet morphology was examined and insulin secretion and glucose oxidation were measured in isolated islets. Results Fasting plasma glucose levels were reduced by GRA (6.0 ± 0.2 vs 7.4 ± 0.5 mmol/l; p = 0.017). The acute insulin response to intravenous glucose was augmented (1,300 ± 110 vs 790 ± 64 pmol/l; p < 0.001). The early insulin response to oral glucose was reduced in mice on HFD + GRA (1,890 ± 160 vs 3,040 ± 420 pmol/l; p = 0.012), but glucose excursions were improved. Intravenous arginine significantly increased the acute glucagon response (129 ± 12 vs 36 ± 6 ng/l in controls; p < 0.01), notably without affecting plasma glucose. GRA caused a modest increase in alpha cell mass, while beta cell mass was similar to that in mice on HFD + vehicle. Isolated islets displayed improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion after GRA treatment (0.061 ± 0.007 vs 0.030 ± 0.004 pmol islet⁻¹ h⁻¹ at 16.7 mmol/l glucose; p < 0.001), without affecting islet glucose oxidation. Conclusions/interpretation Chronic glucagon receptor antagonism in HFD-fed mice improves islet sensitivity to glucose and increases insulin secretion, suggesting improvement of key defects underlying impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.     

Glucose intolerance induced by a high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet in rats effects of nonesterified fatty acids

We examined the time course of effects of a high-fat/low-carbohydrate (HF/LC) diet on the impairment of glucose tolerance in rats, clarified whether insulin secretion and sensitivity were impaired by the HF/LC diet, and investigated the relationship between the increased nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) after HF/LC diet feeding and insulin secretion and sensitivity. We found that glucose tolerance and the postglucose-loading insulin secretion were impaired after 3 and 7 d on the HF/LC diet. The glucose intolerance was accompanied by a rise in the fasting plasma NEFA level. When stimulated with 15 mmol/L of glucose, the insulin secretion was impaired in pancreatic islets from rats fed the HF/LC diet. Rats fed the HF/LC diet showed insulin resistance in vivo. The glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was inhibited in the islets following 24-h culture with palmitic acid. The 24-h infusion of palmitic acid decreased whole-body insulin sensitivity. In summary, at least 3 d on a HF/LC diet is needed to induce glucose intolerance in rats, and the impairment may be induced by decreased insulin secretion and sensitivity, which is related to the increase in the plasma NEFA level.     

Low carbohydrate/high-fat diet attenuates cardiac hypertrophy, remodeling, and altered gene expression in hypertension

The effects of dietary fat intake on the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and accompanying structural and molecular remodeling in response to hypertension are not understood. The present study compared the effects of a high-fat versus a low-fat diet on development of left ventricular hypertrophy, remodeling, contractile dysfunction, and induction of molecular markers of hypertrophy (ie, expression of mRNA for atrial natriuretic factor and myosin heavy chain beta). Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed either a low-fat (10% of total energy from fat) or a high-fat (60% of total energy from fat) diet on either low-salt or high-salt (6% NaCl) chow for 12 weeks. Hearts were analyzed for mRNA markers of ventricular remodeling and activities of the mitochondrial enzymes citrate synthase and medium chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. Similar levels of hypertension were achieved with high-salt feeding in both diet groups (systolic pressure of approximately 190 mm Hg). In hypertensive rats fed low-fat chow, left ventricular mass, myocyte cross-sectional area, and end-diastolic volume were increased, and ejection fraction was decreased; however, these effects were not observed with the high-fat diet. Hypertensive animals on low-fat chow had increased atrial natriuretic factor mRNA, myosin heavy chain isoform switching (alpha to beta), and decreased activity of citrate synthase and medium chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, which were all attenuated by high-fat feeding. In conclusion, increased dietary lipid intake can reduce cardiac growth, left ventricular remodeling, contractile dysfunction, and alterations in gene expression in response to hypertension.     

高脂喂养和脂质诱导的胰岛素抵抗大鼠糖代谢、抵抗素和脂联素的变化

目的探讨高脂喂养和脂质灌注诱导的胰岛素抵抗（IR）大鼠糖代谢、血浆抵抗素、脂联素水平和肌肉抵抗素蛋白表达的变化。方法分别采用高脂喂养和脂质灌注制造IR大鼠模型,用扩展胰岛素钳夹术评价胰岛素敏感性和糖代谢的变化,用酶联免疫法和斑点印迹法测定血浆脂联素及肌肉抵抗素水平。结果高脂喂养组（HF）大鼠基础血浆FFA水平明显高于对照组（NC）（P〈0.05）。钳夹稳态时,NC组和HF组FFA分别被抑制77%和56%,而脂质灌注组（L）FFA水平明显升高。HF和L组糖输注率明显低于NC组（P均〈0.01）,而L组又明显低于HF组（P〈0.05）;L组糖清除率也明显低于NC组（P〈0.01）。NC组肝糖输出率被抑制达85%,而HF和L组分别被抑制29%和9%。钳夹结束时,L组血浆抵抗素水平较基础值明显升高（P〈0.01）,且L组肌肉抵抗素水平明显高于NC组和HF组（P均〈0.05）。钳夹后各组脂联素水平均明显降低（P〈0.05）。结论脂质灌注和高脂喂养诱导了机体外周和肝组织的IR,但以前者更为明显,可能与抵抗素增加有关。     

二甲双胍对高糖高脂饮食诱导的糖尿病大鼠脂肪肝的干预作用

目的 观察高糖、高脂饮食诱导的糖尿病大鼠肝脏病理改变,探讨二甲双胍的干预作用.方法 40只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照(NC)组、糖尿病对照(DM-C)组和DM+二甲双胍干预(DM-M)组.比较各组生化指标、肝重及肝脏指数的改变.HE染色观察大鼠肝脏形态学变化;免疫组化法检测肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)在肝脏的表达.结果 高糖、高脂饲养4周后诱导大鼠出现胰岛素抵抗;8周成功建立T2DM大鼠模型.18周末 DM-C 组大鼠肝脏出现严重脂肪变性,TNF-α在肝脏的蛋白表达水平增加(P<0.01).经二甲双胍治疗后,DM-M组大鼠肝脏脂肪变性程度明显减轻,TNF-α的蛋白表达水平下降(P<0.05).结论 二甲双胍可降低高糖、高脂饮食诱导的糖尿病大鼠肝脏脂肪含量,降低TNF-α在肝组织的蛋白表达,对治疗2型糖尿病脂肪肝具有一定的作用.     

EGCG对高脂饮食诱发的小鼠非酒精性脂肪肝的影响

目的 探讨表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对高脂饮食(HFD)诱发的小鼠非酒精性脂肪肝的影响.方法 选取60只雄性C57BL/6小鼠,随机分为对照组、EGCG组、HFD组和HFD+EGCG组,分别以普通饲料、普通饲料+EGCG、HFD和HFD+EGCG喂饲.观察各组的腹腔葡萄糖耐量试验(IPGTT)结果、体质量、肝...     

Enhanced susceptibility of Cpt1c knockout mice to glucose intolerance induced by a high-fat diet involves elevated hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreased skeletal muscle glucose uptake

Aims/hypothesis  Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1)c is a novel isoform in the CPT1 family and is found specifically in the brain. Cpt1c knockout (KO) mice are more susceptible to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. However, the underlying mechanism of this phenotype and the question of whether CPT1c is involved in the pathogenesis of diet-induced insulin resistance are unclear. Methods  To assess the potential role of CPT1c in the regulation of whole-body glucose homeostasis, we generated Cpt1c KO mice and challenged them with HFD or standard chow. Glucose homeostasis of each group was assessed weekly. Results  After 8 weeks of HFD feeding, Cpt1c KO mice developed a phenotype of more severe insulin resistance than that in wild-type controls. The increased susceptibility of Cpt1c KO mice to HFD-induced insulin resistance was independent of obesity. Impaired glucose tolerance in Cpt1c KO mice was attributable to elevated hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. These effects correlated with decreased hepatic and intramuscular fatty acid oxidation and expression of oxidative genes as well as with elevated triacylglycerol content in these tissues. Interestingly, Cpt1c deletion caused a specific elevation of hypothalamic CPT1a and CPT1b isoform expression and activity. We demonstrated that elevated plasma NEFA concentration is one mechanism via which this compensatory effect is induced. Conclusions/interpretation  These results further establish the role of CPT1c in controlling whole-body glucose homeostasis and in the regulation of hypothalamic Cpt1 isoform expression. We identify changes in hepatic and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism as important mechanisms determining the phenotype of Cpt1c KO mice. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.