Eight week exposure to a high sugar high fat diet results in adiposity gain and alterations in metabolic biomarkers in baboons (Papio hamadryas sp.)

Abstract

BackgroundBaboons (Papio hamadryas Sp.) develop features of the cardiometabolic syndrome and represent a clinically-relevant animal model in which to study the aetiology of the disorder. To further evaluate the baboon as a model for the study of the cardiometabolic syndrome, we developed a high sugar high fat diet and hypothesized that it could be used to induce adiposity gain and affect associated circulating biomarkers.MethodsWe developed a diet enriched with monosaccharides and saturated fatty acids that was composed of solid and liquid energy sources. We provided a group of baboons (n = 9) ad libitum access to this diet for 8 weeks. Concurrently, a control group (n = 6) was maintained with ad libitum access to a low sugar low fat baseline diet and normal water for 8 weeks. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and circulating metabolic biomarkers were measured using standard methodology before and after the 8 week study period.ResultsNeither body composition nor circulating biomarkers changed in the control group. Following the 8 weeks, the intervention group had a significant increase in fat mass (1.71 ± 0.98 vs. 3.23 ± 1.70 kg, p = 0.004), triglyceride (55 ± 13 vs. 109 ± 67 mg/dL, p = 0.006,), and leptin (1.19 ± 1.40 vs. 3.29 ± 2.32 ng/mL, p = 0.001) and a decline in adiponectin concentrations (33530 ± 9744 vs. 23330 ± 7863 ng/mL, p = 0.002). Percentage haemoglobin A1C (4.0 ± 0.3 vs. 6.0 ± 1.4, p = 0.002) also increased in the intervention group.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that when exposed to a high sugar high fat diet, young adult male baboons develop increased body fat and triglyceride concentrations, altered adipokine concentrations, and evidence of altered glucose metabolism. Our findings are in keeping with observations in humans and further demonstrate the potential utility of this highly clinically-relevant animal model for studying diet-induced metabolic dysregulation.

Body composition and cardiometabolic disease risk factors in captive baboons (Papio hamadryas sp.): Sexual dimorphism

“…Recent studies have established the baboon as an important model for the study of obesity, the cardiometabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes (Comuzzie et al, 2003; Chavez et al, 2008; Guardado-Mendoza et al, 2009; Higgins et al, 2010; Chavez et al, 2009; Tejero et al, 2004; Bose et al, 2009; Kemnitz et al, 2002; Banks et al, 2003). Herein we have corroborated earlier data describing the sexual dimorphism in body composition and important circulating metabolic risk factors in a sample of young adult baboons matched for age, consuming the same diet, and housed in the same environment.…”

“…Overt late-onset diabetes, consistent with human type 2 diabetes, has been documented to occur in baboons (Chavez et al, 2008). Increases in adiposity and alterations in related biomarkers can also be induced in baboons by exposing them to a Westernized diet (Higgins et al, 2010). Furthermore, recent work demonstrated that aged baboons are insulin resistant and share many of the molecular and cellular hallmarks of human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue insulin resistance (Chavez et al, 2008).…”

“…In addition, there have been multiple cases of adult-onset diabetes documented in baboons (Guardado-Mendoza et al, 2009). We have recently demonstrated that, when exposed to a diet high in sugar and saturated fatty acids, adult male baboons accrue fat mass and develop metabolic abnormalities in keeping with emerging cardiometabolic syndrome (Higgins et al, 2010). Combined, these findings demonstrate the potential utility of the baboon for studying and ultimately understanding the etiology of common human metabolic disease.…”

Renal Histopathology of a Baboon Model with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Some primates, including baboons, have been reported to develop spontaneous diabetes and diabetic nephropathy (Rosenblum and Coulston, 1983; Stout et al, 1986; Weber and Greeff, 1973). As in humans, development of diabetes in baboons appears to be associated with increased fat accumulation and age (Chavez et al, 2008; Higgins et al, 2010). …”

Nonhuman Primates and other Animal Models in Diabetes Research

“…4,37 For example, cynomolgus and rhesus macaques fed diets high in fructose or containing transfatty acids gain weight or central adiposity and develop dyslipidemia, 37,85 and administration of a Western (high-fat/ high-cholesterol) diet induces atherosclerosis and obesity in these animals. 50,86,87 Baboons fed high-sucrose/high-fat diets gain adiposity and develop features of metabolic syndrome within 8 weeks of exposure, 88 suggesting that they may represent a clinically relevant animal model for studying the progression of obesity to T2DM. 88 Marmosets fed diets high in fat and/or monosaccharides develop metabolic syndrome and, when fed a glucoseenriched diet, develop an obese phenotype and a prolonged hyperglycemic state as early as 16 weeks, with subsequent pancreatic islet hyperplasia and increased atherosclerotic lesion development.…”