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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
An Experimental Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rabbit: Methodological Considerations, Development, and Assessment
Published on: April 20, 2018
The effects of l-Carnosine on development of metabolic syndrome in rats
Nour A Al-Sawalha1, Osama Y Alshogran1, Mofleh S Awawdeh2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Aims:
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing in several countries. The MetS is characterized by the occurrence of at least three of the following risk factors: decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased blood pressure, raised fasting blood glucose, elevated triglycerides, and abdominal obesity. There is a growing evidence of the role of l-carnosine in improving lipid profile and enhancement of the antioxidant activity. However, the effects of l-carnosine on development of MetS are unknown.
Main Methods:
Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive either; conventional diet (control), high-fat high-carbohydrate diet (HFHCD), l-carnosine and conventional diet (L-Car), or l-carnosine and high-fat high-carbohydrate diet (HFHCD and L-Car) for 16 weeks. Central obesity, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose hemostasis, levels of leptin and adiponectin were evaluated on week 16.
Key Findings:
Rats that received HFHCD for 16 weeks showed MetS phenotype such as central obesity, increased blood pressure and glucose, as well as an altered lipid profile (P < 0.05). l-Carnosine supplementation to MetS rats significantly reduced abdominal obesity, blood pressure and glucose, and normalized total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.05). Insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were not affected by l-Carnosine (P > 0.05).
Significance:
l-carnosine has beneficial effects on ameliorating the manifestations of MetS in rats.
