Cardiovascular disease-related parameters and oxidative stress in SHROB rats, a model for metabolic syndrome

PLoS One. 2014 Aug 12;9(8):e104637. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104637. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

SHROB rats have been suggested as a model for metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a situation prior to the onset of CVD or type-2 diabetes, but information on descriptive biochemical parameters for this model is limited. Here, we extensively evaluate parameters related to CVD and oxidative stress (OS) in SHROB rats. SHROB rats were monitored for 15 weeks and compared to a control group of Wistar rats. Body weight was recorded weekly. At the end of the study, parameters related to CVD and OS were evaluated in plasma, urine and different organs. SHROB rats presented statistically significant differences from Wistar rats in CVD risk factors: total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apoA1, apoB100, abdominal fat, insulin, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, ICAM-1 and PAI-1. In adipose tissue, liver and brain, the endogenous antioxidant systems were activated, yet there was no significant oxidative damage to lipids (MDA) or proteins (carbonylation). We conclude that SHROB rats present significant alterations in parameters related to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, thrombotic activity, insulin resistance and OS measured in plasma as well as enhanced redox defence systems in vital organs that will be useful as markers of MetS and CVD for nutrition interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Phenotype
  • Rats
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Spanish Ministries of Science and Innovation and of Economy and Competitiveness (Grants AGL2009-12374-C03-01, -02 and -03; AGL2013-49079-C2-1,2-R; respectively) and in part by the Generalitat de Catalunya regional authorities (2009SGR-1308). M.C. acknowledges ETHERPATHS (FP7-KBBE-222639) funded by the European Union and “ICREA Academia” award for excellence in research, funded by the ICREA Foundation of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The Panamanian Government (SENACYT/IFRHU) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation awarded graduate fellowships to E.M.-T. and L.M., respectively. The ISCIII and the Xunta de Galicia are also acknowledged for “Sara Borrell” and “Isidro Parga Pondal” postdoctoral contracts to J.P.-J. (CD09/00068) and M.P., respectively. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.