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High fat diet-induced metabolically obese and normal weight rabbit model shows early vascular dysfunction: mechanisms involved

International Journal of Obesity volume 42, pages 1535–1543 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Obesity contributes significantly to the development and evolution of cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is believed to be mediated by oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. However, the vascular health of metabolically obese and normal weight (MONW) individuals is not completely comprehended.

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to evaluate vascular function on the basis of a high fat diet (HFD)-MONW rabbit model.

Subjects

Twenty four male rabbits were randomly assigned to receive either a regular diet (CD, n = 12) or a high-fat diet (18% extra fat on the regular diet, HFD, n = 12) for 6 weeks.

Results

Body weight, TBARS and gluthathione serum levels were similar between the groups; fasting glucose, triglycerides, C reactive protein (CRP), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) were higher in the HFD group. Compared to CD, the HFD rabbits had glucose intolerance and lower HDL-cholesterol and plasma nitrites levels. Thoracic aortic rings from HFD rabbits exhibited: (a) a reduced acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation; (b) a greater contractile response to norepinephrine and KCl; (c) an improved angiotensin II-sensibility. The HFD-effect on acetylcholine-response was reversed by the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor (NS398) and the cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor (SC560), and the HFD-effect on angiotensin II was reversed by NS398 and the TP receptor blocker (SQ29538). Immunohistochemistry and western blot studies showed COX-2 expression only in arteries from HFD rabbits.

Conclusions

Our study shows a positive pro-inflammatory status of HFD-induced MONW characterized by raised COX-2 expression, increase of the CRP levels, reduction of NO release and oxidative stress-controlled conditions in an early stage of metabolic alterations characteristic of metabolic syndrome. Endothelial dysfunction and increased vascular reactivity in MONW individuals may be biomarkers of early vascular injury. Therefore, the metabolic changes induced by HFD even in normal weight individuals may be associated to functional alterations of blood vessels.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Consejo de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (PIUNT I521/1), Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina (CONICET PIP 215/14), Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino and Institutional funds from INSIBIO (Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas). We thank veterinary Rosa Alejandra Molina for bioterio management and Dr Liliana Sierra for her help in data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, UNT-CONICET)- Av Independencia, 1800-San Miguel de Tucumán, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina

    Gabriela Alarcon, Julieta Roco, Maria Peral & Susana Jerez

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Miguel Lillo 205-San Miguel de Tucumán, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina

    Mirta Medina, Analia Medina & Susana Jerez

  3. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud-Universidad del Norte Santo Tomás de Aquino, Av Presidente Perón 2085-Yerba Buena, 4107, Tucumán, Argentina

    Analia Medina

  4. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Av Presidente Kirchner 1800- San Miguel de Tucumán, 4000, Tucumán, Argentina

    Maria Peral

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  1. Gabriela Alarcon
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Correspondence to Susana Jerez.

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Alarcon, G., Roco, J., Medina, M. et al. High fat diet-induced metabolically obese and normal weight rabbit model shows early vascular dysfunction: mechanisms involved. Int J Obes 42, 1535–1543 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-018-0020-6

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