High-fat and high-sodium diet induces metabolic dysfunction in the absence of obesity.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Excess dietary fat and sodium (NaCl) are both associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. In mice, high NaCl has been shown to block high-fat (HF) diet-induced weight gain. Here, the impact of an HF/NaCl diet on metabolic function in the absence of obesity was investigated.

METHODS:

Wild-type mice were administered chow, NaCl (4%), HF, and HF/NaCl diets. Metabolic analysis was performed by measuring fasted blood glucose and insulin levels and by glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test.

RESULTS:

After 10 weeks on diets, male and female mice on the HF diet gained weight, and HF/NaCl mice had significantly reduced weight gain similar to chow-fed mice. In the absence of obesity, HF/NaCl mice had significantly elevated fasting blood glucose and impaired glucose control during glucose tolerance tests. Both NaCl and HF/NaCl mice had decreased pancreas and β-cell mass. Administration of NaCl in drinking water did not protect mice from HF-diet-induced weight gain and obesity. Further analysis revealed that longer administration of HF/NaCl diets for 20 weeks resulted in significant weight gain and insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS:

The data demonstrate that despite early inhibitory effects on fat deposition and weight gain, an HF/NaCl diet does not prevent the metabolic consequences of HF diet consumption.

• Authors: Ryan A Frieler, Thomas M Vigil, Jianrui Song, Christy Leung, Carey N Lumeng, Richard M Mortensen
• Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) (Obesity (Silver Spring)) Vol. 29 Issue 11 Pg. 1868-1881 (11 2021) ISSN: 1930-739X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34549547 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2021 The Obesity Society.

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Insulin
• Sodium

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Glucose
• Diet, High-Fat (adverse effects)
• Female
• Insulin
• Insulin Resistance
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Obesity
• Sodium