Excessive Fructose Intake Impairs Baroreflex Sensitivity and Led to Elevated Blood Pressure in Rats

Abstract

Hypertension development with an increased intake of added sugar, especially excessive fructose intake, was shown in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. However, the mechanism underlying blood pressure (BP) elevation with increased fructose intake is still unclear. First, the present study showed that in rats fed 10% fructose for one week, BP and fructose/glucose levels increased in the central and peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, increased fructose intake resulted in an upregulation of fructose concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid. Second, consumption of excess fructose increased serum triglycerides. However, the inhibition of triglyceride production did not mitigate sympathetic nerve hyperactivity, but contributed to an insignificant decrease in BP. Finally, increased fructose intake reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and reduced baroreflex sensitivity within a week. Collectively, the data suggested that fructose intake reduced NO levels in the NTS and caused baroreflex dysfunction, which further stimulated sympathetic nerve activity and induced the development of high BP.

High Fructose Intake Contributes to Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure in Adolescent Girls: Results from The HELENA Study

“…Previous studies have suggested that high levels of pure fructose intake contribute to elevation in blood pressure [ 6 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. This observation has been confirmed in animal studies, where consuming a diet comprising 60% of total energy from fructose induces hypertension [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Few studies have examined the possible deleterious health effects of pure fructose consumption among adolescents [ 6 ], despite the observation that adolescents are the highest consumers of fructose [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Short-Term High Fructose Intake Impairs Diurnal Oscillations in the Murine Cornea

“…These factors, in combination with metabolic stress and energy alterations, may have decreased conduction speed and neural activity after HFI. 61 , 95 …”

Pathophysiological mechanisms of hypertension development induced by fructose consumption

“…35,107 Interestingly, HF intake decreased baroreflex sensitivity within a week (day 1) and induced a progressive reduction in baroreflex sensitivity over time. 104,106 But the alteration of oxidative stress-related markers was found at day 15 or later. 106 These results indicate that baroreflex sensitivity impairment occurs before increased oxidative stress.…”

“…103 Experimental evidence suggests that chronic excessive fructose intake decreased baroreflex sensitivity in rats. [104][105][106] Both fructose-sweetened water consumption and HF corn syrup-sweetened soft drink consumption acutely reduced spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in healthy humans. 35,107 Interestingly, HF intake decreased baroreflex sensitivity within a week (day 1) and induced a progressive reduction in baroreflex sensitivity over time.…”