Parasympathetic dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance in fructose-fed female rats.
The objective of the present study was to identify metabolic, cardiovascular and autonomic changes induced by fructose overload administered in the drinking water of rats for 8 weeks. Female Wistar rats (200-220 g) were divided into 2 groups: control (N = 8) and fructose-fed rats (N = 5; 100 mg/L fructose in drinking water for 8 weeks). The autonomic control of heart rate was evaluated by pharmacological blockade using atropine (3 mg/kg) and propranolol (4 mg/kg). The animals were submitted to an intravenous insulin tolerance test (ITT) and to blood glucose measurement. The fructose overload induced a significant increase in body weight (approximately 10%) and in fasting glycemia (approximately 28%). The rate constant of glucose disappearance (KITT) during ITT was lower in fructose-fed rats (3.25 +/- 0.7%/min) compared with controls (4.95 +/- 0.3%/min, P < 0.05) indicating insulin resistance. The fructose-fed group presented increased arterial pressure compared to controls (122 +/- 3 vs 108 +/- 1 mmHg, P < 0.05) and a reduction in vagal tonus (31 +/- 9 vs 55 +/- 5 bpm in controls, P < 0.05). No changes in sympathetic tonus were observed. A positive correlation, tested by the Pearson correlation, was demonstrable between cardiac vagal tonus and KITT (r = 0.8, P = 0.02). These data provided new information regarding the role of parasympathetic dysfunction associated with insulin resistance in the development of early metabolic and cardiovascular alterations induced by a high fructose diet.
Brito
J O
JO
Laboratório de Movimento Humano, Universidade São Judas Tadeu, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Ponciano
K
K
Figueroa
D
D
Bernardes
N
N
Sanches
I C
IC
Irigoyen
M C
MC
De Angelis
K
K
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D005632:Fructose