Abstract 155: Cardiac Function And Calcium Handling in Obesity-Resistant rats

Abstract

Experimental studies have demonstrated that obesity induced by different types of high-fat and/or high-energy diets also lead to myocardial dysfunction. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the myocardial function in obesity-resistant rats. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying the participation of calcium (Ca 2+ ) handling on cardiac function in this model remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate in rodent model of obesity-resistant. In addition, as obesity-resistant group is fed a high-fat diet but did not become obese, this study tested whether obesity-resistant model develops cardiac abnormalities and impairment of calcium handling as obesity-prone. Male 30-day-old Wistar rats were fed standard (C) and alternately four palatable unsaturated high-fat diets (Ob) for 15 weeks. After experimental protocol, Ob rats consuming the unsaturated high-fat diets were ranked based on adiposity index. Rats on the unsaturated high-fat diets exhibiting the greatest adiposity index were referred to as OP, whereas those exhibiting the lowest adiposity index were referred to as OR. Obesity was determined by adiposity index and comorbidities were evaluated. Myocardial function was evaluated in isolated left ventricle papillary muscles under basal conditions and after inotropic and lusitropic maneuvers. After 15 weeks, final body weight, total body fat, adiposity index, triglycerides levels and heart weight were significantly greater in OP rats than C and OR rats, however, there was no change in systolic blood pressure between groups. The C, OP and OR muscles developed similar baseline data, but myocardial responsiveness to post-rest contraction stimulus was compromised in OP rats. In conclusion, obesity-resistant model by unsaturated high-fat diet, after 15 weeks, does not display nutritional and metabolic characteristics of obesity-prone. Furthermore, obesity-resistant does not promote cardiac abnormalities and impairment of calcium handling visualized in obesity-prone.