Diet-Induced Abdominal Obesity, Metabolic Changes, and Atherosclerosis in Hypercholesterolemic Minipigs. (25th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Mashhadi, Ahmed Ludvigsen; Poulsen, Christian Bo; von Wachenfeldt, Karin; Robertson, Anna-Karin; Bentzon, Jacob Fog; Nielsen, Lars Bo; Thygesen, Jesper; Tolbod, Lars Poulsen; Larsen, Jens Rolighed; Moestrup, Søren Kragh; Frendéus, Björn; Mortensen, Brynjulf; Drouet, Ludovic; Al-Mashhadi, Rozh H.; Falk, Erling
• Other Names: Bullo Monica Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of diabetes research. Volume 2018(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-02-25
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Pathophysiology -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Etiology -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Diabetes -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; 616.462005
• DOI: 10.1155/2018/6823193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-6745

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are major risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases; however, a causal link remains elusive. Animal models resembling human MetS and its complications, while important, are scarce. We aimed at developing a porcine model of human MetS. Methods . Forty pigs with familial hypercholesterolemia were fed a high fat + fructose diet for 30 weeks. Metabolic assessments and subcutaneous fat biopsies were obtained at 18 and 30 weeks, and fat distribution was assessed by CT-scans. Postmortem, macrophage density, and phenotype in fat tissues were quantified along with atherosclerotic burden. Results . During the experiment, we observed a >4-fold in body weight, a significant but small increase in fasting glucose (4.1 mmol/L), insulin (3.1 mU/L), triglycerides (0.5 mmol/L), and HDL cholesterol (2.6 mmol/L). Subcutaneous fat correlated with insulin resistance, but intra-abdominal fat correlated inversely with insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol. More inflammatory macrophages were found in visceral versus subcutaneous fat, and inflammation decreased in subcutaneous fat over time. Conclusions . MetS based on human criteria was not achieved. Surprisingly, visceral fat seemed part of a healthier metabolic and inflammatory profile. These results differ from human findings, and further research is needed to understand the relationship between obesity and MetS in porcine models.