Diet Composition and Host Genetics Interact to Modulate Gut Microbiota and Predisposition to Metabolic Syndrome in Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats (P08-023-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Metabolic syndrome encompasses obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia, and is a global health concern; however, the interactions between diet and host physiology that predispose to metabolic syndrome are incompletely understood. Our Objectives were to determine the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) on energy balance, gut microbiota and key risk factors of metabolic syndrome in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHRSP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Methods Male rats (SHRSP and WKY, 5 weeks old) were randomized to either chow or HFD diets (33% fat n = 7/group) and followed for 12 weeks. Exendin-4 (GLP-1 receptor blocker), Propranolol (beta-adrenergic blocker) or vehicle were administered IP acutely during the study. Measurements included blood pressure, food intake and energy expenditure (CLAMS®), body composition (Minispec LF110 NMR), glucose and meal tolerance, gut hormones, and gut microbiota (16S sequencing). Results We found that SHRSP rats were hypertensive, hyperphagic, less sensitive to the hypophagic effects of exendin-4, and expended more energy with diminished sensitivity to sympathetic blockade, compared to WKY rats. Notably, key thermogenic markers in brown adipose and skeletal muscle tissues were upregulated in SHRSP than WKY rats. Further, HFD promoted weight gain, adiposity, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic lipidosis and increased plasma leptin in both SHRSP and WKY. Importantly, despite distinct differences in gut microbiota composition between the strains, diet had a preponderant impact on gut flora with some of the taxa being strongly associated with key metabolic parameters. Conclusions High fat feeding comparably increased indices of adiposity and hypertriglyceridemia in both SHRSP and WKY rats, but unlike WKY, the SHRSP have unique characteristics including hyperphagia, diminished sensitivity to hypophagic effects of gut satiety signals, limited capacity to clear glucose after a meal, dysbiotic gut flora, and sustained hypertension. Thus, the SHRSP rat model has considerable potential to dissect the complex interplay of genetics, diet and gut microbiota that occur with metabolic syndrome. Funding Sources Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.