title: Pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome: The onset of natural recovery on withdrawal of a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic consumption of high-carbohydrate, high-fat (HCHF) diet induces metabolic syndrome (MetS) and markedly impairs the ultra-structure of organs. To our knowledge, no scientific study has yet to report the effect of withdrawal of an HCHF diet on MetS-associated ultra-structural abnormalities in affected organs and tissues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic withdrawal of the HCHF diet, specifically with a pathophysiological approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wister albino rats (N = 72) were divided into three groups: Groups A and B were fed a standard basal diet and an HCHF diet, respectively, for 16 wk. Group C was on an HCHF diet for the initial 12 wk and then returned to basal diet for 4 wk. Histopathological changes in the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, kidney, white adipose tissue (WAT), skeletal muscle, and hippocampus of the brain were monitored at 4, 8, 12, and 16 wk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lipid droplets (LDs) in liver, fibrosis in the pancreas, abnormalities in the glomerulus of the kidney, and an increase in the size of adipocytes were observed in groups B and C at week 12. Withdrawal of the HCHF diet in group C showed the onset of regenerative features at the ultra-structural level. HCHF diet-fed rats in group B had higher body weights; raised lipid profiles, blood glucose levels, and insulin resistance than basal diet-fed rats in group A and HCHF to basal diet-fed rats in group C at week 16.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An HCHF diet induces ultra-structural abnormalities, which are significantly reversed by subchronic withdrawal of a MetS-inducing HCHF diet, indicating the onset of natural recovery at the ultra-structural level of affected organs.
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Ankita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hazarika
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Himadri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalita
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Goalpara College, Goalpara, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Dulal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chandra Boruah
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Mohan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chandra Kalita
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, Assam, India. Electronic address: biochemistry.iasst@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rajlakshmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Devi
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D000070601:Diet, Carbohydrate Loading / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007668:Kidney / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Dyslipidemia; Fructose; High-carbohydrate; High-fat diet; Histopathology; Metabolic syndrome; Reactive oxygen species