Fructose Consumption Causes Cell Death through ER Stress in Pancreas and Changes Biochemical Parameters in Blood

Abstract

Fructose is the natural sugar found in fruits. This sugar is widely used in all ready-made foods, especially in soft drinks. The study aims to examine how fructose consumption affects biochemical parameters in blood and whether it causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-caused cell death in pancreatic tissue. Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into control and fructose groups. Control animals (n=7) had free access to tap water, and standard pellet, fructose group (n=7) was given 20% fructose in drinking water for eight weeks. The consumption of food and fluid of the rats were measured daily during the experiment. The lipid levels and total oxidant/antioxidant statuses in serum were analyzed. Grp-78, IRE1-α, PERK, ATF-4, and -6, CHOP, and Caspase (Cas)-3/-8/-9/-12 mRNA expression levels in pancreas were detected. Fructose intake increased TG and VLDL levels in serum, and the mRNA expression levels of Grp-78, IRE-1α, PERK, ATF-4, -6 and Cas-3/-8/-9/-12 in pancreas with fructose consumption as compared with control group. Fructose consumption may cause disruption of lipid profile and oxidant/antioxidant balance, as well as trigger ER stress and thus cause programmed cell death. This will lead to the development of many diseases.