title: Adverse association between obesity and menopause in mice treated with bezafibrate, a pan peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate the combined effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and high-fat diet (HF) on insulin sensitivity and pancreatic remodeling in C57BL/6 mice treated with bezafibrate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female C57BL/6 mice were subjected to OVX or surgical procedure without removal of the ovary (SHAM). Animals received standard chow (SC; 10% lipids) or HF (60% lipids). After 13 weeks on the diets, the animals were subdivided into six groups based on diet, bezafibrate treatment, or both: SHAM-SC, SHAM-HF, SHAM-HFBz, OVX-SC, OVX-HF, and OVX-HFBz. After treatment for 5 weeks, the pancreas was removed and analyzed using morphometry, stereological tools, immunostaining, and multiplex assay kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SHAM-HF and OVX-HF mice showed increased fasting glucose levels, plasma insulin levels, homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index, body mass, islet hypertrophy, β-cell mass, and insulin immunostaining, but decreased GLUT2 immunostaining. Bezafibrate treatment prevented islet hypertrophy and reduced body mass, plasma insulin levels, and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OVX combined with HF accentuates the effects of menopause, leading to the development of insulin resistance. Bezafibrate treatment reduces body mass, plasma insulin levels, and pancreatic islet hypertrophy in mice fed HF.
authors: From the Laboratory of Morphometry, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Disease, Biomedical Center, Institute of Biology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Tatiane da Silva
authors: Tda S
authors: Faria
authors: Antonio Ludgero
authors: AL
authors: Correia
authors: Thabata Lessa
authors: TL
authors: dos Anjos
authors: Marcia Barbosa
authors: MB
authors: Aguila
authors: Carlos Alberto
authors: CA
authors: Mandarim-de-Lacerda
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001629:Bezafibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D005260:Female; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects*; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced; D010052:Ovariectomy; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / Q000819:agonists*
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D047492:Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; D001629:Bezafibrate