Association Between Lipid Profile and Cardiac Dysfunction in Experimental Model of Diet‐Induced Obesity
Authors: Ferron Artur Togneri , Francisqueti Fabiane Valentini , Moreto Fernando , Ferraz Ana Paula , Campos Dijon , Bazan Silmeia , Correa Camila , Ferreira Ana Lucia 
Published: November 2023

Aim

To evaluate the effect of western diet on lipid profile and the association with cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

24 male Wistar rats were assigned to receive water + standard diet (group C, n = 12) or CHO diet with water + 25% sucrose (CHO group, n = 12) for 20 weeks. During 20 weeks, food consumption (FC) was measured daily and body weight (BW) weekly. After 12 hours of fasting, plasma was used to measurements of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and non‐HDL cholesterol fraction (an estimate of total atherogenic particles in the plasma) and insulin. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA‐IR.SBP was assessed by the non‐invasive tail‐cuff method. Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was performed by a single examiner at the 20th week. The following cardiac structures were measured: Estimated LV mass, the LV systolic function was assessed by the following parameter: fractional shortening. The LV diastolic function was evaluated by the following deceleration time of E wave (DTE). Differences between groups were determined by using Student's t‐test for independent samples. Pearson regression was used to determine correlations among variables. p ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

CHO group presented higher weight gain, caloric intake and food efficiency even with lower food consumption when compared to C group. About the comorbidites associated with diet in the groups, carbohydrate diet was able to induce higher glucose and HOMA‐IR. CHO group presented higher levels of insulin compared to C group. Cardiac structure and function changes in 20th week were associated with diet in the groups. Carbohydrate diet was able to induce systolic and diastolic dysfunction, cardiac remodeling. Lipid profile of the groups: CHO group presented higher T‐Chol, TG, Non‐HDL Cholesterol and lower HDL when compared to C group. There were correlations among lipid profile and cardiac variables: higher HDL cholesterol concentrations were related to higher EF(%)(r=0.39, p=0.06) whereas higher non‐HDL cholesterol concentrations were with lower EF(%) (r=−0.35, p=0.09); also, non‐HDL cholesterol was directly related to deceleration time (r=0.46, p=0.02) as well as TG (r=0.50, p=0.01). Furthermore, insulin concentrations were directly related to estimated LV mass (r=0.59, p=0.003).

Conclusion

Consumption of CHO rich diet implied lipid profile alterations as well as cardiac remodeling. Therefore, lipid metabolism seems to influence obesity‐related cardiac dysfunction.

Comorbities, cardiovascular Structure and Function in 20th week

Variables
Groups

C (n=12)
CHO (n=12)

LVDD, mm
80.7 ± 2.9
100.6 ± 5.7*

LVSD, mm
2.59 ± 1.20
5.28 ± 1.32*

LVPWD, mm
18.8 ± 1.7
52.3 ± 3.8*

Aorta diameter, mm
68.8 ± 12.1
67.3 ± 15.7*

Left Atrium
4.73 ± 0.20
6.17 ± 0.41*

Estimated LV mass, g
0.70 ± 0.17
1.07 ± 0.12*

Relative wall thickness
114 ± 18
113 ± 17*

Systolic volume, mL
23.5 ± 2.8
26.6 ± 5.8*

Shortening Δ% endo
58.2 ± 3.3
52.5 ± 55.3*

Shortening Δ% meso
25.6 ± 2.1
25.3 ± 2.7

Ejection fraction. %
0.92 ± 0.01
0.89 ± 0.03*

Deceleration time, ms
44.1 ± 7.8
53.4 ± 9.4*

Ew, m/s
8.9 ± 8.4
77.9 ±6.6

Aw, m/s
48.7 ± 11.6
45.9 ± 14.1

E/A, m/s
1.67 ± 0.27
1.85 ± 0.64

IRT
48.1 ± 7.5
52.1 ± 11.3*

Systolic blood pressure, mmHg
126 ± 5
136 ± 5*

Glucose (mg/dL)
83.4 ± 6.3
97.9 ± 8.5*

Insulin (mg/dL)
2.5 ± 1.2
5.2 ± 1.3*

HOMA‐IR
21.3 ± 9.6
50.7 ±11.2*