Differential regulation of pancreas digestive enzymes during the development of diet‐induced‐obesity of C57BL/6J mice

Abstract

BackgroundPancreatic enzymes are essential for digestion of dietary components and regulated by them. Dietary high fat (HF) consumption is a contributing factor in diet‐induced‐obesity (DIO) and requires pancreas adaptation.ObjectivesInvestigating the effects of chronic HF diet on pancreatic digestive enzymes transcripts in DIO C57BL/6J mice.MethodologyMice were fed diets containing 10% or 45% of energy derived from fat for 12 weeks (10 mice/group). Pancreas digestive enzymes transcripts were analyzed (0, 4 and 12 weeks) using quantitative RT‐PCR.ResultsC57BL/6J mice fed HF diet developed obesity, hyperleptinemia, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Pancreatic Lipase, Pancreatic Lipase Related Protein‐2 and Pancreatic PhospholipaseA2 transcripts were initially elevated; however, they were down‐regulated to basal control levels at 12 weeks. Amylase transcripts increased in response to higher dietary carbohydrate content. Proteases transcripts did not change. Elastase1 transcripts increased on the HF diet.ConclusionDIO C57BL/6J mice down‐regulate expression of specific lipases. This suggests a regulatory mechanism to reduce fat digestion, absorption and storage.Study funded partly by NuGO