Dietary fish oil positively regulates plasma leptin and adiponectin levels in sucrose-fed, insulin-resistant rats

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2005 Aug;289(2):R486-R494. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00846.2004.

Abstract

Insulin resistance and adiposity induced by a long-term sucrose-rich diet (SRD) in rats could be reversed by fish oil (FO). Regulation of plasma leptin and adiponectin levels, as well as their gene expression, by FO might be implicated in these findings. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term regulation of leptin and adiponectin by dietary FO in a dietary model of insulin resistance induced by long-term SRD in rats and to determine their impact on adiposity and insulin sensitivity. Rats were randomized to consume a control diet (CD; n = 25) or an SRD (n = 50) for 7 mo. Subsequently, the SRD-fed rats were randomized to consume SRD+FO or to continue on SRD for an additional 2 mo. Long-term SRD induced overweight and decreased both plasma leptin and adiponectin levels without change in gene expression. Dyslipidemia, adiposity, and insulin resistance accompanied these modifications. Shifting the source of fat to FO for 2 mo increased plasma levels of both adipokines, reversed insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and improved adiposity. These results were not associated with modifications in gene expression. These results suggest that increasing both adipokines by dietary FO might play an essential role in the normalization of insulin resistance and adiposity in dietary-induced, insulin-resistant models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cell Size
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / pharmacology*
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Fish Oils / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / blood*
  • Leptin / blood*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sucrose / administration & dosage
  • Sucrose / pharmacology
  • Triglycerides / metabolism

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Fish Oils
  • Insulin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Leptin
  • Lipids
  • Triglycerides
  • Sucrose