High fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome and the functional abnormalities in the liver and kidney of Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is the combination of several medical conditions that increase the risk of developing heart diseases, stroke, cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and diabetes mellitus. Different varieties of animal models have been used for the therapeutic studies of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and kidney diseases. The establishment of appropriate experimental animal models of metabolic syndrome is very important for evaluating the pathophysiology of the disease in humans. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the functional abnormalities associated with high fructose diet (HFrD)-induced metabolic syndrome in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Metabolic syndrome is induced in adult male Wistar albino rats by feeding a combination of HFrD (55%) and fructose enriched water (15%) for 75 days and kept as Group 2 or HFrD group. Normal male Wistar albino rats were kept as normal control. During the entire course of study, weight gain was monitored once a week in both groups. Biochemical investigations such as lipid profile, liver function test, and renal function test were carried out using standard methods. The obtained data were statistically analyzed by students “t-test” and the values were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: Chronic administration of HFrD resulted in obesity, abnormal hepatic, and renal functions in Wistar rats. Conclusion: Chronic consumption of HFrD produces functional abnormalities in liver and kidney of Wistar rats.