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High-sugar diets increase cardiac dysfunction and mortality in hypertension compared to low-carbohydrate or

Naveen Sharma1, Isidore C Okere, Brian R Barrows

  • 1Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Journal of Hypertension
|June 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High sugar diets, particularly sucrose, worsen heart function and increase mortality in hypertensive rats. These findings highlight the detrimental cardiovascular effects of sugar in the context of high blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Nutritional Science
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Sugar consumption can influence insulin release and cardiac function.
  • Hypertension is linked to accelerated left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure.
  • The specific impact of different sugars on cardiac health in hypertension requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of high-fructose and high-sucrose diets on ventricular function and mortality in hypertensive rats.
  • To compare the cardiovascular impact of high-sugar diets versus high-starch or high-fat diets in a hypertension model.

Main Methods:

  • Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed diets high in starch, fat, fructose, or sucrose.
  • Hypertension was induced by adding 6% salt to the chow for 8 weeks.
  • Cardiac function, gene expression (myosin heavy chain, atrial natriuretic factor), cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and mortality were assessed.

Main Results:

  • All high-salt diets increased systolic blood pressure and left ventricular mass.
  • High-sugar diets (fructose, sucrose) showed a greater shift in myosin heavy chain mRNA isoforms compared to starch or fat diets.
  • The high-sucrose group exhibited significantly increased atrial natriuretic factor mRNA, higher mortality (44%), increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusions:

  • Diets high in sugar, specifically sucrose, accelerate cardiac systolic dysfunction and mortality in hypertensive conditions.
  • Sugar-induced cardiac complications in hypertension are more severe compared to high-fat or high-starch diets.
  • These findings underscore the critical role of dietary sugar in exacerbating cardiovascular disease in hypertensive individuals.
Abstract

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