Low Dietary n6/n3 Ratio Attenuates Changes in the NRF 2 Gene Expression, Lipid Peroxidation, and Inflammatory Markers Induced by Fructose Overconsumption in the Rat Abdominal Adipose Tissue.

Petra Roškarić,Kristina Starčević,Tomislav Mašek,Marcela Šperanda,Donatella Verbanac

doi:10.3390/antiox10122005

Petra Roškarić, Kristina Starčević + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10122005

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the benefits of different n6/n3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios on the lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in the adipose tissue of rats fed a high-fructose diet. Male and female rats were divided into four groups: a control group (CON) (n6/n3 ratio ~7), a high-fructose group (HF) (n6/n3 ratio ~7), an N6-HF group (n6/n3 ratio ~50), and the DHA-HF group (n6/n3 ratio ~1, with the addition of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acid). The CON group received plain water and the HF group received 15% fructose in their drinking water. Fructose induced an increase in the content of serum triglycerides, serum cholesterol, and HOMA-IR index. Among the fatty acids, elevated proportions of C18:1n9 and C16:1n7, as well as an increase in total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), were found in the adipose tissue of the HF group. Fructose treatment also changed oxidative parameters, including a marked increase in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Meanwhile, DHA supplementation caused a significant decrease in the serum MDA concentration in comparison with the HF group. In addition, DHA/EPA supplementation attenuated oxidative stress by increasing NRF 2 gene expression. Fructose treatment also significantly decreased the adiponectin level, while DHA supplementation ameliorated it. The changes observed in this trial, including the decrease in the content of DHA and EPA, the decreased EPA/ARA ratio, and the increase in the expression of inflammatory genes, are characteristics of the low-grade inflammation caused by fructose treatment. These changes in the rat adipose tissue could be prevented by dietary intervention consisting of DHA supplementation and a low n6/n3 ratio.

Highlights

We investigated the expression of inflammatory adipokines, An increase in TNF α expression was observed in the high-fructose-fed groups, compared tumour necrosis factor α (TNF α), and transforming growth factor β (TGF β) (Figure with the control group (CON) group in female rats (p < 0.01), while in male rats, the difference did not reach
We established that the dietary treatment with 15% fructoseinduced significant changes in the expression of inflammatory markers, lipid peroxidation, and fatty acid profile in rat abdominal adipose tissue
The addition of high quantities of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to the fructose-challenged rats, which resulted in a drastic decrease in the n6/n3 ratio, showed a protective effect in a defence mechanism against insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidation, dyslipidaemia, and changes in the fatty acid composition of the rat adipose tissue

Summary

Introduction

Increased fructose intake caused by overconsumption of soft drinks plays an important role in the development of metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemia, and adipose tissue dysfunction [1,2]. Dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and low-grade inflammation are the hallmarks of metabolic syndrome [3]. A key component of the development of metabolic syndrome is dysfunction of the lipid metabolism characterised by changes in lipogenesis and fatty acid concentrations in different tissues. Adipose tissue represents the main storage of fatty acids (FA) in the form of triglycerides and is an active endocrine organ with different signalling and Antioxidants 2021, 10, 2005.

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