Lasting metabolic effect of a high-fructose diet on global cerebral ischemia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Obesity is a public health problem that is associated with cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemic stroke. The coexistence of obesity with cerebral ischemia has been suggested to be considerably detrimental to the neurological system. Objective: Hence, in this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of a 20% high fructose diet (HFD) and global cerebral ischemia on neurological, cognitive and emotional performance in three-month-old male Wistar rats. Results: Our results demonstrated that fructose intake led to increases in body weight and blood glucose, as well as reduced insulin sensitivity. The co-morbidity of fructose intake and cerebral ischemia resulted to hyperlipidemia, as well as increases in liver and adipocyte damage, which worsened neurological performance and resulted in alterations in learning and emotional skills at two weeks post-ischemia. No significant biochemical changes in autophagy and plasticity markers at the late stage of ischemia were observed. Conclusion: These results suggested that obesity causes a lasting effect on metabolic disorders that can contribute to increased neurological impairment after cerebral ischemia.

KEYWORDS:

• Obesity
• high fructose diet
• cerebral ischemia
• cognitive function
• hyperglycemia
• neurological performance
• cognitive and emotional dysfunction
• dyslipidemia

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Tania Márquez Durango for the Vivarium technical support, Dr. Norman Balcazar from the Molecular Genetics group at the University of Antioquia for his scientific advice and support and Claudia Guzman for the laboratory technical support. All of the authors had full access to all of the data in the study and are responsible for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: G.P.C., J.A.G., P.A.P.C and O.P.O. Acquisition of data: O.P.O, P.A.P.C and J.A.G. Analysis and interpretation of data: C-G.G., P.A.P.C, O.B.A. and O.P.O. Drafting of the manuscript: O.P.O. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: C.P.G and O.B.A. Statistical analysis: O.P.O. Obtained funding: J.A.G. and G.P.C. Administrative, technical and material support: G.P.C. Study supervision: G.C.P and O.B.A.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Area of Group of Neuroscience, University of Antioquia.