Metabolic Effects of the Ingestion of Different Fructose Sources in Rats

Introduction: Fructose is a simple carbohydrate that should be ingested in a restricted manner. However, current data suggest increased daily consumption of fructose which may lead to an increased incidence of diseases such as obesity, diabetes and co-morbidities associated with excess weight. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of the ingestion of different fructose sources on weight gain, glycemia and serum triglyceride levels in rats.Methods: The study was conducted on male Wistar rats divided into 5 groups according to the source and concentration of fructuse (ingested ad libitum in liquid form).Results: Drink intake was increased and chow consumption was reduced in all groups compared to control (p<0.05). The animals of the groups receiving 10 and 20% fructose solutions showed increased triglyceride levels and the 20% group also showed weight gain. The exaggerate consumption of fructose promotes a reduced consumption of chow, an increase in serum triglyceride levels, and weight gain in some animals.

Maternal-Fetal Outcome, Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress of Diabetic Rats Neonatally Exposed to Streptozotocin

Background: There is no evidence about the integrated issue on glycemia, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and anomaly frequency of pregnant diabetic rats neonatally exposed to streptozotocin.Objective: Evaluating the impact of hyperglycemia in diabetic rats neonatally exposed to streptozotocin on maternal reproductive and fetal outcomes and the relationship with lipid profile and maternal oxidative stress.Material and Methods: Ten 90-day-old female Wistar rats were mated to obtain offspring. Some of these newborns received streptozotocin (70 mg/kg, i.p. - n5-STZ group) and the remainder given only citrate buffer (control group) on their day 5 of life. At adult life, these rats (n =13 animals/group) were mated and, at day 21 of pregnancy, they were killed to obtain a maternal blood samples for biochemical determinations. The gravid uterus was weighed with its contents and fetuses were analyzed.Results: At day 0 of pregnancy, glycemic means of n5-STZ rats were significantly greater compared to those of control rats, but presented fetuses classified as small for pregnancy age. The n5-STZ rats showed increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, MDA concentrations, lower SOD activity and increased frequency fetal visceral anomalies as compared to the control group.Conclusion: This study showed that the experimental model used led to mild hyperglycemia during pregnancy, although it did not lead to increased macrosomic fetus rates. The hyperglycemic maternal environment caused metabolic alterations, including increased triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations, and elevated oxidative stress, contributing to increase fetal visceral anomalies.

Genotoxicity and Fetal Abnormality in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke Prior to and during Pregnancy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genotoxicity Evaluation in Severe or Mild Diabetic Pregnancy in Laboratory Animals

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Early Pancreas Transplant Improves Motor Nerve Conduction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal relationship between pancreas transplant and the development of electrophysiological changes in the sciatic and caudal nerves of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Nerve conduction studies were performed in diabetic rats subjected to pancreas transplantation at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after diabetes onset, using nondiabetic and untreated diabetic rats as controls. Nerve conduction data were significantly altered in untreated diabetic control rats up to 48 weeks of follow-up in all time points. Rats subjected to pancreas transplantation up to 4 and 12 weeks after diabetes onset had significantly increased motor nerve conduction velocity with improvement of wave amplitude, distal latency, and temporal dispersion of compound muscle action potential in all follow-up periods (P<0.05); these parameters remained abnormal when pancreas transplantation were performed late at 24 weeks. Our results suggest that early pancreas transplant (at 4-12 weeks) may be effective in controlling diabetic neuropathy in this in vivo model.