Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in Wistar rats the effect of chronic use of high fructose corn syrup on serum lipids, body weight, energy intake regulation, and expression of associated genes. METHODS: For 11 weeks, male rats were fed a standard diet with either water (control) or 15% high fructose corn syrup solution, or fed a high-fat diet. The rats' food intake and body weight were measured weekly. Expression of leptin and fatty acid synthase genes was quantified in their brain and adipose tissue upon sacrifice at age 119 days using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The intake of 15% high fructose corn syrup did not affect the rats' weight, only the rats on the high-fat diet gained significant weight. The rats in both diets had lower levels of leptin expression and high levels of fatty acid synthase in the brain, which were associated with high serum triglycerides. CONCLUSION: Fifteen percent high fructose corn syrup intake and the high-fat diet reduced leptin gene expression in the brain of Wistar rats, with differential effects on weight gain.
Highlights
In Mexico the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener has increased in the last 20 years from 0.09 kg per capita in 1990 to 5.3 kg in 2000 and 12.5 kg in 20131
Intake of a 15.0% HFCS solution ad libitum for 11 weeks did not cause the rats to lose their energy intake regulation, the same was observed when they were fed with HFat diet (Table 1)
The results indicate that consumption of 15% HFCS did not affect energy intake regulation, only the animals fed the HFat diet gained weight after 11 weeks of treatment
Summary
In Mexico the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) as a sweetener has increased in the last 20 years from 0.09 kg per capita in 1990 to 5.3 kg in 2000 and 12.5 kg in 20131. Nectars, soft drinks, and cookies are foods that compose the diet of Mexican children sweetened with HFCS. High intake of these foods is associated with the nutritional transition toward ever growing prevalences of overweight and obesity in children[2], and obesity and diabetes in adults[3]. High fructose corn syrup was initially regarded as a sweetener suitable for diabetic patients because it has low glycemic index compared with glucose[10]. HFCS intake may promote the development of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease[11], which have been related to hypertriglyceridemia[12] and insulin resistance[13] in patients with prolonged HFCS intake
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