title: Structural and functional microvascular alterations in a rat model of metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate microvascular alterations in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) associated with salt supplementation (0.5% NaCl).
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar Kyoto rats were fed standard chow (control group, CONT) or HFD for 20 weeks. The functional capillary density (FCD) was assessed using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HFD group presented a higher systolic blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin levels, total and LDL-cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and visceral and epididymal fat when compared with the CONT group. When compared with the CONT group, the HFD group showed a lower FCD in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.05) but not in the skin (P > 0.05). The HFD group also had a lower capillary-to-fiber ratio in the skeletal muscle (P < 0.01). The capillary volume density-to-fiber volume density ratio in the left ventricle of the HFD was also reduced (P < 0.01). Finally, rats fed with HFD showed ventricular hypertrophy and increased cardiomyocyte diameter (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term administration of a HFD associated with salt supplementation to rats generates an experimental model of metabolic syndrome characterized by central body fat deposition, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, cardiac remodeling, and rarefaction of the microcirculation in the heart and skeletal muscle.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cardiovascular Investigation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandro R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Nathália
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jesus
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Marcos A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lessa
authors.forename: Isabela T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Bonomo
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tibiriçá
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D055806:Microvessels / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002395:Catecholamines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides