Enriched functional milk fat ameliorates glucose intolerance and triacylglycerol accumulation in skeletal muscle of rats fed high-fat diets.

PURPOSE: We examined the effect of a functional milk fat (FMF) on the glucose metabolism and its association with the intramuscular triacylglycerol (TAG) content in rats fed high-fat diets. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed for 60 days with S7 (soybean oil 7%), S30 (soybean oil 30%), MF30 (soybean oil 3% + milk fat 27%), or FMF30 (soybean oil 3% + FMF 27%) diets. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The levels of key metabolites in gastrocnemius muscle and mRNA levels of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in muscle, epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT), and serum were assessed. RESULTS: The S30 diet induced glucose intolerance and led to TAG, citrate, and glucose accumulation in muscle. Moreover, we observed a downregulation of uncoupling proteins (Ucp2 and Ucp3) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (Irs1) genes, lower carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1b (CPT-1b), and phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1) activities in muscle and lower expression of adiponectin (Adipoq) in EWAT. The FMF30 diet ameliorated the glucose intolerance and normalized the glucose and TAG levels in muscle, preventing the accumulation of citrate and enhancing glucose utilization by the PFK1. The beneficial effects might also be related to the higher expression of Adipoq in EWAT, its receptor in muscle (Adipor1), and the expression of Ucp2, Ucp3, and Irs1 in muscle, restoring the alterations observed with the S30 diet. CONCLUSIONS: FMF30 modulated key genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle, improving the glucose utilization and preventing TAG, glucose, and citrate accumulation.

Fatty acid metabolism in liver and muscle is strongly modulated by photoperiod in Fischer 344 rats.

Circadian and seasonal variations produce variations in physiological processes throughout the day and the year, respectively. In this sense, both the light and the moment of feeding are strong modulators of the central and peripheral clocks. However, little is known about its influence on certain metabolic parameters and on the composition of liver and muscle fatty acids (FA). In the present study, 24 Fischer 344 rats were exposed for 11 weeks to different photoperiods, L6, L12 and L18, with 6, 12 and 18 h of light/day, respectively. They were fed a standard diet. Serum metabolic parameters, gene expression of liver enzymes and gastrocnemius muscle involved in the synthesis, elongation, desaturation and ß-oxidation of FA were analyzed. We have found that exposure to different hours of light has a clear effect on FA composition and gene expression in the liver. Mainly, the biosynthesis of unsaturated FA was altered in the L18 animals with respect to those exposed to L12, while the L6 did not show significant changes. At the muscle level, differences were observed in the concentration of mono and polyunsaturated FA. A multivariate analysis confirmed the differences between L12 and L18 in a significant way. We conclude that exposure to long days produces changes in the composition of liver and muscle FA, as well as changes in the gene expression of oxidative enzymes compared to exposure to L12, which could be a consequence of different seasonal eating patterns.

Functional milk fat enriched in conjugated linoleic acid prevented liver lipid accumulation induced by a high-fat diet in male rats.

The aim was to investigate the potential effect of functional milk fat (FMF), naturally enriched in conjugated linoleic acid, on the prevention of liver lipid accumulation and some biochemical mechanisms involved in the liver triacylglycerol (TAG) regulation in high-fat (HF) fed rats. Male Wistar rats were fed (60 days) with S7 (soybean oil, 7%) or HF diets: S30 (soybean oil, 30%), MF30 (soybean oil, 3% + milk fat -MF-, 27%) or FMF30 (soybean oil, 3% + FMF, 27%). Nutritional parameters, hepatic fatty acid (FA) composition, liver and serum TAG levels, hepatic TAG secretion rate (TAG-SR), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in adipose tissue and muscle, activities and/or mRNA levels of lipogenic and ß-oxidative enzymes, and mRNA levels of transcription factors and FA transport proteins were assessed. The hepatic lipid accumulation induced by the S30 diet was associated with increased mRNA levels of FA transporters; and it was prevented by FMF through an increase in the hepatic TAG-SR, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a activity and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha mRNA levels, as well as by a reduction of the mRNA levels of FA transporters. The hypotriacylglyceridaemia observed in S30 was related with an increased LPL activity in adipose tissue and it was reverted by FMF through the increased hepatic TAG-SR. In brief, FMF prevented the liver lipid accumulation induced by HF diets by increasing the hepatic TAG-SR and ß-oxidation, and reducing the hepatic FA uptake. The increased hepatic TAG-SR induced by FMF could be responsible for the attenuation of serum TAG alterations.

Maternal conjugated linoleic acid consumption prevented TAG alterations induced by a high-fat diet in male adult rat offspring.

Maternal nutritional programming by a high-fat (HF) diet is related to hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis in offspring. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might ameliorate impaired hepatic lipid homoeostasis; therefore, the aim was to investigate the potential preventive effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG metabolism alterations induced by HF diets in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed a control (C) diet, HF diet or HF diet supplemented with CLA (HF+CLA) for 4 weeks before mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, for 9 weeks, male offspring of C or HF rats continued with the same diets as their mothers (C/C or HF/HF groups, respectively) and male offspring of HF+CLA rats were fed HF or HF+CLA diets (HF+CLA/HF or HF+CLA/HF+CLA groups, respectively). Nutritional parameters, serum and liver TAG levels, the TAG secretion rate (TAG-SR) and the activities as well as gene expression of key hepatic enzymes involved in TAG regulation were assessed. The most interesting results were that maternal CLA decreased epididymal white adipose tissue weight and prevented serum and liver TAG accumulation induced by a HF diet in adult male offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. The prevention of liver steatosis in HF+CLA/HF+CLA and HF+CLA/HF offspring was associated with an increased hepatic TAG-SR. Overall, this study provides evidence that maternal CLA consumption programmes TAG regulation and in this way contributes to lowering lipid levels in tissues and preventing liver steatosis in particular.

Soybean Oil-Derived Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids Enhance Liver Damage in NAFLD Induced by Dietary Cholesterol.

While the impact of dietary cholesterol on the progression of atherosclerosis has probably been overestimated, increasing evidence suggests that dietary cholesterol might favor the transition from blunt steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), especially in combination with high fat diets. It is poorly understood how cholesterol alone or in combination with other dietary lipid components contributes to the development of lipotoxicity. The current study demonstrated that liver damage caused by dietary cholesterol in mice was strongly enhanced by a high fat diet containing soybean oil-derived ω6-poly-unsaturated fatty acids (ω6-PUFA), but not by a lard-based high fat diet containing mainly saturated fatty acids. In contrast to the lard-based diet the soybean oil-based diet augmented cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes, presumably by impairing cholesterol-eliminating pathways. The soybean oil-based diet enhanced cholesterol-induced mitochondrial damage and amplified the ensuing oxidative stress, probably by peroxidation of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. This resulted in hepatocyte death, recruitment of inflammatory cells, and fibrosis, and caused a transition from steatosis to NASH, doubling the NASH activity score. Thus, the recommendation to reduce cholesterol intake, in particular in diets rich in ω6-PUFA, although not necessary to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, might be sensible for patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Influence of trans fatty acids on glucose metabolism in soleus muscle of rats fed diets enriched in or deprived of linoleic acid.

PURPOSE: Industrial trans fatty acid (TFA) intake leads to impaired glucose metabolism. However, the overall effects reported are inconsistent and vary with the dietary FA composition and TFA isomer type and levels. We investigated TFA effects on glucose uptake, incorporation and oxidation, and glycogen synthesis in incubated soleus muscle under basal conditions or after treatment with insulin and/or palmitate. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed either linoleic acid (LA)-enriched (+LA) or LA-deprived (-LA) diet, supplemented (+LA + TFA or -LA + TFA) or not with TFA, for 60 days. Soleus muscle glucose metabolism was assessed in the absence or presence of insulin and/or palmitic acid. RESULTS: Under basal conditions, TFA enhanced glucose uptake and oxidation regardless of the LA status. Both TFA-supplemented groups had lower insulin response to glucose metabolism. Under insulin-stimulated conditions, TFA prevented the palmitate inhibition of muscle glucose uptake and metabolism in the +LA + TFA group. CONCLUSION: Dietary TFA enhanced glucose utilization in incubated soleus muscle under basal conditions and prevented the palmitate-induced inhibition in insulin-stimulated conditions. However, TFA reduced the insulin response to glucose uptake and metabolism. The effects mentioned above were influenced by the FA profile modifications induced by the dietary LA levels, suggesting that lipid metabolization and incorporation into plasma membrane are important determining factors of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Maternal conjugated linoleic acid modulates TAG metabolism in adult rat offspring.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) might regulate the lipid depots in liver and adipose tissue. As there is an association between maternal nutrition, fat depots and risk of offspring chronic disease, the aim was to investigate the effect of maternal CLA consumption on TAG regulation and some inflammatory parameters in adult male rat offspring receiving or not receiving CLA. Female Wistar rats were fed control (C) or CLA-supplemented (1 %, w/w) diets during 4 weeks before and throughout pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, male offspring of CLA rats were fed C or CLA diets (CLA/C and CLA/CLA groups, respectively), whereas C male rat offspring were fed a C diet (C/C group) for 9 weeks. Serum TAG levels were increased in the CLA/CLA and CLA/C groups, associated with a reduction of lipoprotein lipase activity and weights of adipose tissue. The liver TAG levels were decreased in the CLA/CLA group, related to a significant reduction of fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activities, as well as to the mRNA levels of FAS, ACC, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c. Even though normal TAG levels were found in the liver of CLA/C rats, a reduction of lipogenesis was also observed. Thus, these results demonstrated a programming effect of CLA on the lipid metabolic pathways leading to a preventive effect on the TAG accretion in adipose tissue and the liver of male rat offspring. This knowledge could be important to develop some dietary strategies leading to a reduced incidence of obesity and fatty acid liver disease in humans.

N-3 fatty acids reduced trans fatty acids retention and increased docosahexaenoic acid levels in the brain.

INTRODUCTION: The levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) are critical for the normal structure and function of the brain. Trans fatty acids (TFA) and the source of the dietary fatty acids (FA) interfere with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TFA supplementation in diets containing different proportions of n-9, n-6, and n-3 FA on the brain FA profile, including the retention of TFA, LC-PUFA levels, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios. These parameters were also investigated in the liver, considering that LC-PUFA are mainly bioconverted from their dietary precursors in this tissue and transported by serum to the brain. Also, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expressions were evaluated. METHODS: Male CF1 mice were fed (16 weeks) diets containing different oils (olive, corn, and rapeseed) with distinct proportions of n-9, n-6, and n-3 FA (55.2/17.2/0.7, 32.0/51.3/0.9, and 61.1/18.4/8.6), respectively, substituted or not with 0.75% of TFA. FA composition of the brain, liver, and serum was assessed by gas chromatography. RESULTS: TFA were incorporated into, and therefore retained in the brain, liver, and serum. However, the magnitude of retention was dependent on the tissue and type of isomer. In the brain, total TFA retention was lower than 1% in all diets. DISCUSSION: Dietary n-3 PUFA decreased TFA retention and increased DHA accretion in the brain. The results underscore the importance of the type of dietary FA on the retention of TFA in the brain and also on the changes of the FA profile.

The effects of trans-fatty acids on TAG regulation in mice depend on dietary unsaturated fatty acids.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of trans-fatty acids (TFA) on liver and serum TAG regulation in mice fed diets containing different proportions of n-3, n-6 and n-9 unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) from olive (O), maize (C) or rapeseed (R) oils partially substituted or not with TFA (Ot, Ct and Rt, respectively). Male CF1 mice were fed (30 d) one of these diets. The effects of the partial substitution (1 %, w/w) of different UFA with TFA on the activity and expression of hepatic enzymes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acids oxidation were evaluated, as well as their transcription factor expressions. Some of the mechanisms involved in the serum TAG regulation, hepatic VLDL rich in TAG (VLDL-TAG) secretion rate and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were assessed. In liver, TFA induced an increase in TAG content in the Ot and Rt groups, and this effect was associated with an imbalance between lipogenesis and ß-oxidation. In the Ot group, exacerbated lipogenesis may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the liver steatosis induced by TFA, whereas in Rt it has been related to a decreased ß-oxidation, compared with their respective controls. The enhanced hepatic VLDL-TAG secretion in the Ot and Rt groups was compensated with a differential removal of TAG by LPL enzyme in extrahepatic tissues, leading to unchanged serum TAG levels. In brief, the effects of low levels of TFA on liver and serum TAG regulation in mice depend on the dietary proportions of n-3, n-6 and n-9 UFA.

Conjugated linoleic acid improves glucose utilization in the soleus muscle of rats fed linoleic acid-enriched and linoleic acid-deprived diets.

The effect that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has on glucose metabolism in experimental animals depends on nutritional conditions. Therefore, we hypothesized that CLA improves glucose utilization and insulin sensitivity in rats fed different levels of dietary linoleic acid (LA). We investigated the effect of CLA on the uptake, incorporation, and oxidation of glucose and glycogen synthesis in the soleus muscle of rats who were fed either LA-enriched (+LA) or LA-deprived (-LA) diets, under basal conditions and in the absence or presence of insulin and/or palmitate. For 60 days, male Wistar rats were fed 1 of 4 diets consisting of +LA, -LA, or +LA and -LA supplemented with CLA. Nutritional parameters and soleus glucose metabolism were evaluated. Under basal conditions, CLA enhanced soleus glucose oxidation, whereas increased glucose uptake and incorporation were observed in the -LA + CLA group. Conjugated linoleic acid-supplemented rats presented a lower response to insulin on glucose metabolism compared with non-CLA-supplemented rats. Palmitate partially inhibited the effect of insulin on the uptake and incorporation of glucose in the +LA and -LA groups but not in the +LA + CLA or -LA + CLA groups. Dietary CLA increased glucose utilization under basal conditions and prevented the palmitate-induced inhibition of glucose uptake and incorporation that is stimulated by insulin. The beneficial effects of CLA were better in LA-deprived rats. Conjugated linoleic acid may also have negative effects, such as lowering the insulin response capacity. These results demonstrate the complexities of the interactions between CLA, palmitate, and/or insulin to differentially modify muscle glucose utilization and show that the magnitude of the response is related to the dietary LA levels.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid mixtures and different edible oils in body composition and lipid regulation in mice.

INTRODUCTION: Evidences suggest that commercial and natural conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) differentially affect nutritional status and lipid metabolism. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differential effect of two types of CLA preparations supplemented to dietary fats containing different proportions of n-9, n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (FA) on body composition, triacylglycerol (TG) levels and lipid metabolism in mice. METHODS: Growing mice were fed diets containing olive, maize and rapeseed oils supplemented with an equimolecular mixture of CLA (mix-CLA) or a rumenic acid (RA)-rich oil for 30 days. Body weight gain, carcass composition, tissue weights, plasma and tissue TG levels, and lipid regulation parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Independently of the dietary fats, mix-CLA decreased body weight gain and fat depots related to lower energy efficiency, hepatomegaly, increase of serum TG and decrease of muscle TG. Rapeseed oil prevented the hepatic steatosis observed with mix-CLA supplementation to olive and maize oils by increasing TG secretion. RA-rich oil supplementation decreased fat depots without hepatomegaly, hepatic steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia. Olive oil, by an equilibrium between FA uptake/oxidation, prevented the increase of muscle TG induced by the RA-rich oil supplementation to maize and rapeseed oils. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The proportions of dietary unsaturated FA modulated the different mix-CLA and RA-rich oil response to lipid metabolism in mice. Finally, rapeseed oil prevented the hepatic steatosis induced by mix-CLA, and the most beneficial effects of RA-rich oil were observed when supplemented to olive oil, due to the reduced lipid accretion without changes in TG levels.

Introducción: Las evidencias sugieren que las mezclas de Ácido Linoleico Conjugado (ALC) de origen comercial o natural diferencialmente afectan diferencialment al estado nutricional y al metabolismo lipídico. Objetivo: Investigar el efecto de dos preparaciones de ALC como complemento de grasas dietarias con diferentes proporciones de ácidos grasos (AG) n-9, n-6 y n-3 sobre composición corporal, niveles de triacilglicéridos (TG) y metabolismo lipídico en ratones. Métodos: Se alimentó a ratones en crecimiento con dietas con aceite de oliva, maíz y canola, o colza suplementadas con una mezcla equimolecular de ALC (mezcla-ALC) o aceites ricos en ácido ruménico (AR) por 30 días. Se evaluó: ganancia de peso, composición corporal, peso de tejidos, niveles de TG plasmáticos y séricos, y parámetros de regulación lipídica. Resultados: Independientemente de las grasas dietarias, la mezcla-ALC redujo el peso corporal y depósitos grasos relacionados con hepatomegalia, incremento de TG séricos y descenso de TG musculares. El aceite de canola previno la esteatosis hepática producida por la mezcla-ALC a aceites de oliva y maíz por incremento de la secreción de TG. AR decreció los depósitos grasos sin hepatomegalia, esteatosis hepática e hipertrigliceridemia. Aceite de oliva previno el incremento de TG musculares inducidos por suplementación con AR al aceite de maíz y canola. Discusión y conclusión: Las proporciones de AG insaturados dietarios modularon la respuesta de mezcla-ALC y AR al metabolismo lipídico en ratones. Finalmente, aceite de canola previno la esteatosis hepática inducida por mezcla-ALC, y los efectos benéficos más notorios fueron observados cuando aceite de oliva fue suplementado con AR, debido a la reducida acreción de lípidos sin cambios en los niveles de TG.

Effect of conjugated linoleic acid mixtures and different edible oils on bodycomposition and lipid regulation in mice / Efectos de mezclas de conjugados del ácido linoléico y diferentes aceites comestibles sobre la composición corporal y regulación de lípidos en ratones

Introduction: Evidences suggest that commercial and natural conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) differentially affect nutritional status and lipid metabolism. Objective: To investigate the differential effect of two types of CLA preparations supplemented to dietary fats containing different proportions of n-9, n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (FA) on body composition, triacylglycerol (TG)levels and lipid metabolism in mice. Methods: Growing mice were fed diets containing olive, maize and rapeseed oils supplemented with an equimolecular mixture of CLA (mix-CLA) or a rumenic acid (RA)-rich oil for 30 days. Body weight gain, carcass composition, tissue weights, plasma and tissue TG levels, and lipid regulation parameters were evaluated. Results: Independently of the dietary fats, mix-CLA decreased body weight gain and fat depots related to lower energy efficiency, hepatomegaly, increase of serum TG and decrease of muscle TG. Rapeseed oil prevented the hepaticsteatosis observed with mix-CLA supplementation to olive and maize oils by increasing TG secretion. RA-rich oil supplementation decreased fat depots without hepatomegaly, hepatic steatosis and hypertriglyceridemia. Olive oil, by an equilibrium between FA uptake/oxidation, prevented the increase of muscle TG induced by the RA-rich oil supplementation to maize and rapeseed oils. Discussion and conclusion: The proportions of dietary unsaturated FA modulated the different mix-CLA and RA-rich oil response to lipid metabolism in mice. Finally, rapeseed oil prevented the hepatic steatosis induced bymix-CLA, and the most beneficial effects of RA-rich oil were observed when supplemented to olive oil, due to the reduced lipid accretion without changes in TG levels (AU)

Introducción: Las evidencias sugieren que las mezclas de Ácido Linoleico Conjugado (ALC) de origen comercial o natural diferencialmente afectan deferencialmente al estado nutricional y al metabolismo lipídico. Objetivo: Investigar el efecto de dos preparaciones de ALC como complemento de grasas dietarias con diferentes proporciones de ácidos grasos (AG) n-9, n-6 y n-3sobre composición corporal, niveles de triacilglicéridos (TG) y metabolismo lipídico en ratones. Métodos: Se alimentó a ratones en crecimiento con dietas con aceite de oliva, maíz y canola, o colza suplementadas con una mezcla equimolecular de ALC (mezcla-ALC)o aceites ricos en ácido ruménico (AR) por 30 días. Se evaluó: ganancia de peso, composición corporal, peso de tejidos, niveles de TG plasmáticos y séricos, y parámetros de regulación lipídica. Resultados: Independientemente de las grasas dietarias,la mezcla-ALC redujo el peso corporal y depósitos grasos relacionados con hepatomegalia, incremento de TG séricos y descenso de TG musculares. El aceite de canola previnola esteatosis hepática producida por la mezcla-ALC a aceites de oliva y maíz por incremento de la secreción de TG.AR decreció los depósitos grasos sin hepatomegalia, esteatosis hepática e hipertrigliceridemia. Aceite de oliva previno el incremento de TG musculares inducidos por suplementación on AR al aceite de maíz y canola. Discusión y conclusión: Las proporciones de AG insaturados dietarios modularon la respuesta de mezcla-ALC y AR al metabolismo lipídico en ratones. Finalmente, aceite de canola previno la esteatosis hepática inducida por mezcla-ALC, y los efectos benéficos más notorios fueron observados cuando aceite de oliva fue suplementado con AR, debido a la reducida acreción de lípidos sin cambios en los niveles de TG (AU)

Effects of trans-fatty acids on liver lipid metabolism in mice fed on diets showing different fatty acid composition.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the effects of trans-fatty acids (TFA) on liver lipid metabolism in mice fed on experimental diets rich in either oleic or linoleic acid. METHODS: Twenty-two male CF1 mice (22.0 ± 0.1 g) were fed with diets rich in corn oil or olive oil, supplemented or not with TFA (0.75 g TFA/100 g diet), for 4 weeks. Changes in triacylglycerol content, the activity and expression of enzymes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation were measured. RESULTS: Supplementation of an olive oil-rich diet with TFA increased liver triacylglycerols, the activity and expression of lipogenic enzymes and sterol regulatory element-binding protein SREBP-1a expression. By contrast, when TFA were added to a corn oil-rich diet, they did not modify these parameters. No significant differences were observed among the experimental groups in the activity and expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ia, body and liver weights or serum triacylglycerol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of TFA on liver fat accumulation depends on the dietary fatty acid composition. Steatosis induced by TFA when included in an olive oil diet (but not in a corn oil diet) was associated with an increased lipogenesis but not with a decreased fatty acid oxidation in animals fed on the olive oil diet. This metabolic change is mediated by SREBP-1a but not by SREBP-1c, and seems to be independent of insulin.