Repercussions of low fructose-drinking water in male rats

Abstract

Fructose consumption has increased worldwide, and it has been associated with the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance (IR) and steatosis. The aim was to evaluate if lower fructose concentrations may cause pancreatic structural abnormalities, leading to a glucose intolerance without steatosis in male rats. Young male rats orally received 7% fructose solution for 12 weeks. Body weight, food, water, and energy intake were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. After final experimental period, all rats were anaesthetized and killed. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and organs (liver and pancreas) were processed for morphological analyses. Fructose consumption was not associated with lipid accumulation in liver. However, fructose administration was associated with an increased area under curve from OGTT and an increased percentage of insulin-positive cells, high beta cell mass and reduced pancreatic islet area. Fructose supplementation (7%) did not cause steatosis, but it led to abnormal morphology and function of pancreatic islet cells, contributing for glucose intolerance development. Our findings demonstrate that even low fructose concentrations may cause deleterious effects in animals.

Diet‐induced rodent models of obesity‐related metabolic disorders—A guide to a translational perspective

“…Unlike glucose‐fed rodents, fructose‐fed rodents displayed disruption of metabolic homeostasis, including IGT and dyslipidaemia 142,143 . In one study, low fructose (7%) content in drinking water was sufficient to cause glucose intolerance with abnormal morphology and function of pancreatic islet cells in Wistar rats, but without changes in FBG, insulin and lipids levels 144 . However, in another study, the same strain of rats fed with fructose‐rich diet (10% w/v in drinking water) developed hypertriglyceridaemia and a state of insulin resistance (demonstrated by hyperinsulinaemia with normoglycaemia, high insulin:glucose molar ratio and HOMA‐IR index) after 3 weeks of fructose administration 145 …”

Metabolic Disorders Induced by Fructosedrinking Water Affect Angiotensin II-mediated Intestinal Contractility in Male Wistar Rats

“…Graphic image of angiotensin II-induced contractions of rectal strips (n = 9 for each group) from control and fructosedrinking group. thors 1,18,28,29 who reported that the fructose diet did not induce an increase in body weight of the rats. The impact of fructose on weight and fat gain is still debatable.…”

“…The impact of fructose on weight and fat gain is still debatable. 29 Probably, to induce such weight gain, it was necessary to use a higher amount of fructose alone or in combination with high fats/ glucose diet and to increase the experiment duration.…”

“…Similar findings have been reported by other authors. 18,29 There is evidence that even the low fructose consumption affects the pancreatic islets without altering the serum insulin concentrations. 29 The significant increase of plasma creatinine concentration in the fructose-drinking group indicated a starting damage of the kidney functions.…”

“…18,29 There is evidence that even the low fructose consumption affects the pancreatic islets without altering the serum insulin concentrations. 29 The significant increase of plasma creatinine concentration in the fructose-drinking group indicated a starting damage of the kidney functions. Similar results were described by Gersch et al 30 who reported an acceleration of chronic kidney disease in rats on high fructose diet.…”