Effect of neonatal orally administered S-allyl cysteine in high-fructose diet fed Wistar rats

B W Lembede1, K H Erlwanger1, P Nkomozepi2

  • 11School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of the Witwatersrand,Parktown,Johannesburg,Republic of South Africa.

Insights

Neonatal S-allyl cysteine (SAC) administration protected against fructose-induced liver fat accumulation in adult rats. However, it did not prevent obesity caused by high-fructose diets in adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolic Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • S-allyl cysteine (SAC) possesses known antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity properties.
  • Early-life nutrition can influence long-term metabolic health and susceptibility to diet-induced diseases.
  • High-fructose diets are linked to adverse metabolic outcomes, including hepatic lipid accumulation and obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of neonatal S-allyl cysteine (SAC) administration against high-fructose diet-induced metabolic dysfunction in rats.
  • To determine if early-life SAC exposure can prevent adverse metabolic programming from neonatal and adult high-fructose intake.

Main Methods:

  • 112 Wistar rat pups received daily oral treatments of distilled water, 20% fructose solution, SAC, or SAC+fructose from postnatal day 6-20.
  • After weaning, rats were fed standard rat chow, with subgroups receiving either plain water or 20% fructose solution for 8 weeks.
  • Tissue analysis was performed post-euthanasia to assess metabolic outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Neonatal SAC administration attenuated hepatic lipid accretion programmed by early-life high-fructose exposure.
  • Neonatal SAC treatment did not prevent visceral obesity induced by high-fructose diets during adulthood.
  • Early-life SAC administration showed potential in mitigating liver fat accumulation in later life.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal S-allyl cysteine (SAC) administration offers protection against neonatal high-fructose diet-induced hepatic lipid accumulation.
  • SAC may play a role in preventing fat-mediated liver derangements in adult life.
  • Further research is needed to explore SAC's efficacy against obesity and other metabolic consequences of adult high-fructose consumption.

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