Abstract

Western diets high in fat and sucrose are associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Although the prevalence of MetS in women is comparable to that in men, metabolic adaptations in females to Western diet have not been reported in preclinical studies. This study investigates the effects of Western diet on risk factors for MetS in female mice. Based on our earlier studies in male mice, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with extracts of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI5011) and Momordica charantia (bitter melon) could affect MetS risk factors in females. Eight-week-old female mice were fed a 10% kcal fat, 17% kcal sucrose diet (LFD); high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFS; 45% kcal fat, 30% kcal sucrose); or HFS diet with PMI5011 or bitter melon for three months. Body weight and adiposity in all HFS groups were greater than the LFD. Total cholesterol level was elevated with the HFS diets along with LDL cholesterol, but triglycerides and free fatty acids were unchanged from the LFD. Over the three month period, female mice responded to the HFS diet by adaptive increases in fat oxidation energy in muscle and liver. This was coupled with increased fat storage in white and brown adipose tissue depots. These responses were enhanced with botanical supplementation and confer protection from ectopic lipid accumulation associated with MetS in female mice fed an HFS diet.

Highlights

  • The Western diet is characterized by high levels of saturated fat and sugars, along with meat and a low intake of fruits and vegetables [1]

  • These responses were enhanced with botanical supplementation and confer protection from ectopic lipid accumulation associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in female mice fed an HFS diet

  • This dietary pattern is strongly associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) [2], a cluster of risk factors associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease [3]

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Summary

Introduction

The Western diet is characterized by high levels of saturated fat and sugars, along with meat and a low intake of fruits and vegetables [1]. This dietary pattern is strongly associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) [2], a cluster of risk factors associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease [3]. The incidence of MetS is highest in lean or obese women whose dietary pattern consists of consuming high levels of fat and sweetened beverages [7], and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases more than ten-fold in women with MetS [8]. Considering the prevalence of MetS in women and the increased risk

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