The influence of obesity by a diet high in saturated fats and carbohydrates balance in the manifestation of systemic complications and comorbidities

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that obesity induced by a diet rich in saturated fats and balanced in carbohydrates is associated with the development of systemic complications and comorbidities. Methods: Thirty-seven 60-day-old male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: control (C, n = 18, standard diet) and obese (OB, n = 19, high-saturated fat diet), for 33 weeks. Nutritional profile: food and caloric intake, feed efficiency, body weight, and adiposity index. Complications: in plasma were analyzed dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glucose intolerance, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, plasmatic C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); in the myocardial and epididymal adipose tissue were assessed IL-6 and TNF-α. Comorbidities: diabetes mellitus and systemic blood pressure (SBP). Student’s t test, ANOVA, and Bonferroni P < 0.05. Results: The final body weight, feed efficiency, and adiposity index were higher in OB group than in control; although food intake was lower in OB group, caloric intake was similar in both groups. Specific parameters, such as LDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, CRP, TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue, and IL-6 in the myocardium, were higher in obese rats than in controls. SBP, baseline glucose, and glucose after 2 h of overload were significantly increased in OB group; however, the severity was not enough to classify the animals as diabetic and hypertensive. Conclusion: Obesity induced by a diet high in saturated fatty acids with balanced carbohydrates for 33 weeks in Wistar rats was effective in triggering complications but unable to develop comorbidities.