The effects of a high fat/high fructose diet in a C57BL/6J mouse model

Mikayla Hickey
MSc Student
Department of Biochemistry

Date: January 8, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Room: CSF 1302

Abstract:

High fructose consumption is associated with dysregulated carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Dysregulated carbohydrate and lipid metabolism often precede the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previous research suggests that dietary fructose alters metabolic outcomes in a sex-dependent manner. This study aims to determine whether voluntary wheel running, sex, and previous fructose exposure from the diet affect body weight, liver weight, energy expenditure, and normal glucose and lipid metabolism. Aged C57BL/6J mice (n=64), half with access to a running wheel were fed high-fat diets containing 20% of total energy intake from fructose for 23 weeks. Comprehensive cage monitoring systems by Columbus Instruments were used to measure energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry, food intake, and activity. Before necropsy, 0.5 g/kg U-¹³C-fructose and 0.5 g/kg glucose were orally gavaged to assess postprandial fructose metabolism. 30 minutes post oral gavage, mice were euthanized following cardiac puncture and all tissue samples of interest were collected and snap-frozen. When paired with a high-fat diet, high fructose consumption with or without access to a running wheel did not affect body weight or liver weight. However, previous exposure to fructose from diet significantly raised blood glucose levels 30 minutes after a bolus dose of fructose was delivered.