Exposure to high-fat diet since post-weaning induces cardiometabolic damage in adult rats

This study sought to investigate the metabolic, hemodynamic and autonomic responses in adult rats exposed to high-fat diet since post-weaning.

Young male Wistar rats were assigned into groups fed with standard normal diet (3% lipids; ND, n=8) or high-fat diet (30% lipids; HD, n=8) during 8weeks. Body composition, food intake, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were determined. Hemodynamic and autonomic evaluations were performed. Renin angiotensin system and nitric oxide were also studied by pharmacological blockades.

HD group showed no difference in body weight, total cholesterol, food intake in calories and insulin concentration, but visceral fat pads weight, triglycerides and leptin were higher in HD group. Moreover, HD group decreased adiponectin level, increased 12% of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and 6% of heart rate compared with ND group. Spectral analyses showed an increase in cardiovascular sympathetic modulation in HD compared with ND group. Depressor responses after losartan were higher in HD compared with ND group: -9±0.7 vs.-3±1.6mmHg. Pressor responses after l-NAME were higher in HD compared with ND: 45±8 vs. 32±5mmHg.

High-fat diet consumption during early period of life can increase WAT mass and MAP. These alterations may be mediated by an augment in sympathetic activity associated with higher leptin and lower adiponectin levels. These cardiometabolic damages can lead to the development of hypertension and increase cardiovascular risk in adulthood.