Apolipoprotein A1 expression in young and aged rats is modulated by dietary carbohydrates

To determine if dietary carbohydrates modulate apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) expression, plasma ApoA1 protein and hepatic ApoA1 mRNA levels were measured in young and aged rats maintained on a high-fructose (60% of diet weight consisting of fructose), or high-glucose (60% glucose) diet or fed regular rat chow for 10 days. Aged rats on regular chow had significantly higher plasma ApoA1 concentrations and hepatic ApoA1 mRNA than young rats maintained on this diet. Plasma ApoA1 and hepatic ApoA1 mRNA levels in young rats or aged rats maintained on the 60% fructose diet were significantly higher than in rats within the same age group maintained on regular rat chow (P < .01). Similar induction of ApoA1 protein and mRNA was found in rats maintained on the 60% glucose diet (P < .01). It is concluded that ApoA1 expression in rats is modulated by factors related to the nature of dietary carbohydrates rather than insulin resistance associated with high-fructose feeding.