Effect of Biochemical Parameters and Histology of Liver on Sucrose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Wistar Rats

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Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiple factorial condition that draws a parallel to various risks such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. As per the new International Diabetes Federation (IDF), for a person to be defined as having metabolic syndrome of central obesity along with any two of the following four factors: Raised triglycerides (≥ 150 mg/dL), reduced HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL in males and<50 mg/dL in females), raised blood pressure (systolic BP ≥ 130 or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mm Hg) and raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG ≥ 100 mg/dL).
 Sucrose is a common sugar, also known as “table sugar”. It is a sweet-tasting carbohydrate that is present in almost everything we eat. It is a natural compound that gives us valuable energy as it is a quick and easy source of energy but sucrose tends to be harmful when over-consumed. Sucrose is consumed worldwide and it is known to have harmful effects on metabolic heath.
 Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the histological and biochemical changes of liver in sucrose induced metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats.
 Methods: Total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly grouped into three groups A, B and C. 10g of sucrose was weighed and dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water to make the 10% sucrose solution and 20g was also weighed and dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water to make the 20% sucrose solution. Group A served as control and was administered orally with distilled water, group B was administered with the 10% sucrose solution orally and group C was administered with the 20% sucrose solution orally all for 6 weeks (42 days) The Wistar rats were anaesthetized using chloroform vapour in an enclosed transparent jar. Blood was collected through cardiac puncture and dispensed in to plain container for liver biochemical analysis and liver was carefully removed and washed with normal saline and then fixed in 10 % formol saline for histological preparation.
 Results: There was increase in some serum liver function parameters: total protein (TP), Albumin (ALB), Total bilirubin (TB), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) but the increase was statistically insignificant. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-Chol) and Glucose parameters were also statistically insignificant. Histopathology examination of sections of the liver specimens shows steatosis (deposits of fat on the liver) on the liver of both group B and C Wistar rats.
 Conclusion: Histological examination of the liver specimens shows presence of fat cells deposition (steatosis) in all liver sections. Further studies needed to make a definitive conclusion as to whether the biochemical parameters can cause insignificant or significant changes.