BackgroundNowadays, the number of obese people in the world has reached alarming proportions. During the expansion of adipose tissue, a number of functions such as activation and release of cytokines and hormones may be affected. This leads the body to a pro-inflammatory pattern, which may affect the proper functioning of many tissues. Thus, studying the mechanisms by which obesity induces physiological disorders is necessary, and may be facilitated by the use of animal models, in particular rodents. We sought to characterize the metabolic and adipose tissue changes resulting from a diet rich in fats and simple sugars in gerbils.MethodsWe divided 14 gerbils into two experimental groups that received a diet rich in simple carbohydrates and fats with 5,86 kcal/g (OB, n = 7) or a standard diet with 4.15 kcal/g (CT; n = 7) for 11 weeks. The animals had free access to water and food. The animal weight and food consumption were measured weekly. Blood, adipose tissue and liver of each animal were collected at the end of experiment. The following parameters were determined: cholesterol (COL), triglycerides (TGL) and glycemia (GLI) in the plasma; cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) and hormones (adiponectin and leptin) in adipose tissue; activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), extraction and differentiation of fat and histology in liver.ResultsThe consumption of a diet rich in simple carbohydrates and fats led to increased total body weight and increased relative weights of liver and adipose tissue. In addition, we observed increased fasting glucose levels and circulating triglycerides, along with high TNF-α production in adipose tissue and increased total fat, cholesterol and triglyceride contents in the liver, contributing to higher intensity of hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, the animals of this group showed depletion in the enzyme activity of SOD and CAT in the liver, as well as reduction of IL-10 and adiponectin levels in adipose tissue.DiscussionHigh intake of saturated fat and simple carbohydrates establish the gerbil as an experimental model for the study of metabolic and hepatic abnormalities resulting from obesity.

Background. Currently, the number of obese people in the world has reached alarming proportions. During the expansion of adipose tissue, a number of functions such as activation and release of cytokines and hormones may be affected. This causes the body to take a pro-inflammatory pattern, which may affect the proper functioning of many tissues. Thus, studying the mechanisms by which obesity induces physiological disorders is necessary, and may be facilitated by the use of animal models, in particular rodents. We sought to investigate whether the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) would be a good experimental model for the study of obesity and metabolic changes resulting from a diet rich in fats and sugars. Methods. 14 gerbils were divided according to weight into two experimental groups and received a a standard diet with 4,15kcal/g (CT; n = 7) or a diet rich in simple carbohydrates and fats with 5,86kcal/g (OB, n = 7) for 11 weeks. The animals had free access to water and food. The weight of each animal and food consumption of each cage were measured weekly and at the end of the experiment, blood, adipose tissue and liver were collected. The following parameters were determined: cholesterol (COL), triglycerides (TGL) and glycemia (GLI) in the plasma; cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) and hormones (adiponectin and leptin) in adipose tissue; activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), extraction and differentiation of fat in the liver and liver histology. Results. The consumption of a diet rich in simple fats and carbohydrates led to an increase of total body weight, relative weights of liver and adipose tissue, glucose and triglycerides levels, and TNF-α concentration in adipose tissue. Animals of this group also showed a significant increase of total fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content in the liver, contributing to higher intensity of hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, depletion in the enzyme activity of SOD and CAT in the liver, as well as reduction of IL-10 and adiponectin levels were found in adipose tissue of these animals. Conclusion.

Background. Currently, the number of obese people in the world has reached alarming proportions. During the expansion of adipose tissue, a number of functions such as activation and release of cytokines and hormones may be affected. This causes the body to take a pro-inflammatory pattern, which may affect the proper functioning of many tissues. Thus, studying the mechanisms by which obesity induces physiological disorders is necessary, and may be facilitated by the use of animal models, in particular rodents. We sought to investigate whether the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) would be a good experimental model for the study of obesity and metabolic changes resulting from a diet rich in fats and sugars. Methods. 14 gerbils were divided according to weight into two experimental groups and received a a standard diet with 4,15kcal/g (CT; n = 7) or a diet rich in simple carbohydrates and fats with 5,86kcal/g (OB, n = 7) for 11 weeks. The animals had free access to water and food. The weight of each animal and food consumption of each cage were measured weekly and at the end of the experiment, blood, adipose tissue and liver were collected. The following parameters were determined: cholesterol (COL), triglycerides (TGL) and glycemia (GLI) in the plasma; cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) and hormones (adiponectin and leptin) in adipose tissue; activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), extraction and differentiation of fat in the liver and liver histology. Results. The consumption of a diet rich in simple fats and carbohydrates led to an increase of total body weight, relative weights of liver and adipose tissue, glucose and triglycerides levels, and TNF-α concentration in adipose tissue. Animals of this group also showed a significant increase of total fat, cholesterol and triglyceride content in the liver, contributing to higher intensity of hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, depletion in the enzyme activity of SOD and CAT in the liver, as well as reduction of IL-10 and adiponectin levels were found in adipose tissue of these animals. Conclusion. Diet consumption consisting of an excess in saturated fat and simple carbohydrates establish the gerbil as an experimental model for the study of obesity and metabolic and liver abnormalities resulting from this disease.