Short-term high-fat diet compromises myocardial function: a radial strain rate imaging study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Metabolic Research
• Animal Models

Background:

• Long-term high-fat diet (HFD) is known to induce cardiac remodeling and myocardial dysfunction.
• Understanding the effects of short-term HFD is crucial for identifying early pathological changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the time course and mechanisms of metabolic and cardiac modifications induced by short-term HFD in wild-type (WT) mice.
• To assess early adipose tissue and myocardial remodeling in response to HFD.

Main Methods:

• WT mice were fed either HFD (60% fat) or chow diet (CD, 13% fat) for 20 weeks.
• Metabolic, echocardiographic, and invasive hemodynamic data were collected periodically.
• Histological analyses assessed cardiomyocyte and adipocyte sizes, interstitial fibrosis, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

• HFD mice exhibited increased body weight and glycemia, with early adipose tissue remodeling.
• Despite similar blood pressure and LV mass at 5 weeks, HFD mice showed early LV dysfunction (reduced radial strain rate).
• Progressive LV dysfunction, dilatation, hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis were more severe in HFD mice.

Conclusions:

• Short-term HFD rapidly promotes metabolic disturbances and cardiac dysfunction in mice.
• Adipose and myocardial tissue remodeling occurs early in response to HFD, preceding significant changes in blood pressure or LV mass.