Quantification of total and visceral adipose tissue in fructose‐fed rats using water‐fat separated single echo MRI

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to setup a rodent model for modest weight gain and an MRI-based quantification of body composition on a clinical 1.5 T MRI system for studies of obesity and environmental factors and their possible association. Design and Methods: Twenty-four 4-week-old female Fischer rats were divided into two groups: one exposed group (n ¼ 12) and one control group (n ¼ 12). The exposed group was given drinking water containing fructose (5% for 7 weeks, then 20% for 3 weeks). The control group was given tap water. Before sacrifice, whole body MRI was performed to determine volumes of total and visceral adipose tissue and lean tissue. MRI was performed using a clinical 1.5 T system and a chemical shift based technique for separation of water and fat signal from a rapid single echo acquisition. Fat signal fraction was used to separate adipose and lean tissue. Visceral adipose tissue volume was quantified using semiautomated segmentation. After sacrifice, a perirenal fat pad and the liver were dissected and weighed. Plasma proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Results: The weight gain was 5.2% greater in rats exposed to fructose than in controls (P ¼ 0.042). Total and visceral adipose tissue volumes were 5.2 cm 3 (P ¼ 0.017) and 3.1 cm 3 (P ¼ 0.019) greater, respectively, while lean tissue volumes did not differ. The level of triglycerides and apolipoprotein A-I was higher (P ¼ 0.034, P ¼ 0.005, respectively) in fructose-exposed rats. Conclusions: The setup induced and assessed a modest visceral obesity and hypertriglyceridemia, making it suitable for further studies of a possible association between environmental factors and obesity.Obesity (2013) 21, E388-E395.

Physiologic and metabolic safety of butyrylcholinesterase gene therapy in mice

“…The lack of such effects in the main study suggests that high BChE expression in host liver does not impair glucose tolerance, energy metabolism or oxidative phosphorylation and ATP generation, indicating preservation of pancreatic insulin release and mitochondrial function. The whole body measures investigated by Echo-MRI indicated no change in body composition such as shift in lean to fat ratio, or water content, which this instrumentation is designed to detect (Ronn et al , 2013). Altogether, present findings agree with our previous observations indicating that BChE gene transfer is unlikely to present serious risk in humans, apart from the acknowledged hazards of any viral gene transfer (Brunetti-Pierri and Ng, 2011).…”

Functionality of HDL: Antioxidation and Detoxifying Effects

“…Thus, elevated levels of plasma apoA-I in female rats have been found after exposure to the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) (Ronn et al 2013). The molecular mechanisms behind the increase in apoA-I may reflect the effects of estrogens, although conflicting data have been reported (Teeguarden et al 2013).…”

Efectos Metabólicos del Consumo Excesivo de Fructosa Añadida

“…En un estudio realizado por Rönn et al (2013) con ratas hembras, estas se dividieron en dos grupos: un grupo expuesto y un grupo control. El grupo expuesto recibió agua potable que contenía fructosa al 5 % durante siete semanas y luego al 20 % durante tres semanas.…”