Obese adult phenotype: Adaptations of small intestine to cafeteria diet and aerobic physical training after weaning

Abstract

Summary Objective This study aimed to identify the effects of cafeteria diet and aerobic physical training on morphological and metabolic parameters of duodenum and jejunum in rats. Methods Rats were submitted to chow diet (SC), cafeteria diet (SCa), and cafeteria diet associated to aerobic physical training (TCa) on treadmill for 100 days. Body and adipose tissue weight, morphological aspects and enzymatic activity of duodenum and jejunum were measured. Results Our results demonstrated a direct association between cafeteria diet consumption and an increase in the body weight and adiposity, which was reduced by aerobic physical training. Cafeteria diet consumption groups also presented higher villus height, but it was reduced in jejunum of trained group. In relation to enzymatic activity, only alkaline phosphatase presented higher activity in jejunum of cafeteria diet group. Conclusion In conclusion, the small intestine submitted to cafeteria diet presented morphological/metabolic features that, in association with other aspects, may promote obese phenotype development. This could be partially reverted by aerobic physical training, which probably acts with more emphasis in another tissue/system to combat excessive adiposity.