Lipid Profile and Some Hormonal Disorders in Serum of High-Fat Diet Fed Rats

Abstract

Background: Chronic consumption of high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of high-fat diet-induced obesity on lipid profile and levels of certain hormones in male albino rats. Material and Methods: A total of forty two 12-week old male albino rats were divided into three groups: control group fed a normal diet, obese group I fed 25% HFD and obese group II fed 50% HFD. Each group was divided into two subgroups (seven rats for each) feeding on the corresponding diet for four and eight weeks. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Chol), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-Chol), free Triiodothyronine (FT3), free Thyroxine (FT4), Insulin, Leptin and Adiponectin were assessed at the end of 4th and 8th weeks. Also LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratios of control and obese groups were calculated at the same time intervals. Results: The obtained results indicated significant increase in all parameters of serum lipid profiles in addition to elevation of the LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratios of obese rats compared to those of the controls. In response to HFD, marked increase was recorded in the levels of insulin and leptin while values of FT3 and adiponectin were reduced significantly. On the other hand, HFD did not change the levels of FT4. Most of the recorded changes were more obvious by increasing either the percentage of fats or the feeding period. Conclusion: In conclusion, HFD induces some hormonal disorders accompanied by disturbance of the lipid profile.