Impaired metabolic and hepatic functions following subcutaneous lipectomy in adult obese rats

Abstract

The number of obese older adults is on the rise, but data about proper treatment of obesity in the elderly is controversial. The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness and consequences of partial subcutaneous lipectomy, as a rapid medical intervention against increased accumulation of body fat, in adult obese rats. The study was conducted on adult (9-12 months) female rats, in which obesity was induced by bilateral surgical ovariectomy. They were randomized into two main groups: short term (5 weeks) and long term (10 weeks). Both groups were subdivided into control, ovariectomized (OVX) and ovariectomized lipectomized groups. Body weight (BW) was measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and plasma levels of total proteins, albumin, liver enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), leptin and adiponectin were determined. The content of both blood and hepatic tissue of reduced glutathione was estimated. In addition, histological study of the liver, aorta and perirenal fat was performed. Compared to controls, OVX rats showed significant increase in BW, BMI and plasma levels of liver enzymes, MDA and leptin. Histological study revealed vacuolated ballooned hepatocytes and enlarged irregular visceral adipocytes with atherosclerotic changes in the wall of aorta. Following subcutaneous lipectomy, rats exhibited significant fasting hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, lowered plasma albumin and disturbed redox state with aggravation of the histological changes. The findings indicate that although subcutaneous lipectomy appears to be effective in combating obesity in older females, it has unfavourable effects on both metabolic and hepatic functions.

Failure of subcutaneous lipectomy to combat metabolic dysregulations in ovariectomy-induced obesity in young female rats

“…These results are consistent with those of our previous study in which ovariectomy was used to induce obesity in premenopausal rats [ 17 ]. Despite the similarity in net results and study duration, body weight and metabolic changes were more prominent in young rats than in premenopausal rats (Table 3 ).…”

“…The present data extend and confirm our previous research on the impact of subcutaneous lipectomy in obese premenopausal rats [ 17 ]. The results demonstrated that lipectomy surgery, whether in premenopausal or in young rats, has unfavorable outcomes, including fasting hyperglycemia, disturbed lipid profile associated with atherosclerotic changes in the wall of the abdominal aorta, and impaired liver functions coupled with hepatic cell vacuolation and inflammatory cell infiltration.…”

“…They were sacrificed 6 weeks following the lipectomy operation (n = 13). Bilateral surgical ovariectomy (as a model of human obesity) and subcutaneous belt lipectomy were performed according to the steps described in our previous research [ 17 ].…”

Nitric oxide cycle activity in rat biceps femoris muscle under conditions of bacterial lipopolysaccharide influence, experimental metabolic syndrome and their combination

“…All the abovementioned substances were evaluated by respective assays produced by "Filisit Diagnistika" (Ukraine). We also calculated body-mass index (BMI) according to recommendations [13].…”