A high-sugar and high-fat diet impairs cardiac systolic and diastolic function in mice. (1st November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carbone, Salvatore; Mauro, Adolfo G.; Mezzaroma, Eleonora; Kraskauskas, Donatas; Marchetti, Carlo; Buzzetti, Raffaella; Van Tassell, Benjamin W.; Abbate, Antonio; Toldo, Stefano
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 198(2015)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2015-11-01
• Subjects: Western diet -- High-fat diet -- High-sugar diet -- Heart failure preserved ejection fraction -- Diastolic dysfunction -- Obesity; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.06.136
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by dyspnea, fatigue, exercise intolerance and cardiac dysfunction. Unhealthy diet has been associated with increased risk of obesity and heart disease, but whether it directly affects cardiac function, and promotes the development and progression of HF is unknown. Methods: We fed 8-week old male or female CD-1 mice with a standard diet (SD) or a diet rich in saturated fat and sugar, resembling a "Western" diet (WD). Cardiac systolic and diastolic function was measured at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, and left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure (EDP) by cardiac catheterization prior to sacrifice. An additional group of mice received WD for 4 weeks followed by SD (wash-out) for 8 weeks. Results: WD-fed mice experienced a significant decreased in LV ejection fraction (LVEF), reflecting impaired systolic function, and a significant increase in isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), myocardial performance index (MPI), and LVEDP, showing impaired diastolic function, without any sex-related differences. Switching to a SD after 4 weeks of WD partially reversed the cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions: A diet rich in saturated fat and sugars (WD) impairs cardiac systolic and diastolic function in the mouse. Further studies are required to define the mechanism through which diet affects cardiac function, and whether dietary interventions can be used in patients with, or at risk for, HF.