Background: Limited data on adipose tissue zinc content in obesity exist. At the same time, the association between adipose tissue zinc content and metabolic parameters in dietary-induced obesity is poorly studied. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to assess adipose tissue zinc content and its association with morphometric parameters, adipokine spectrum, proinflammatory cytokines, and apolipoprotein profile in high fat fed Wistar rats.
Methods: A total of 48 adult female Wistar rats were used in the present study. Rats were fed either control (10% of fat) or high fat diet (31.6% of fat). Adipose tissue zinc content was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Rats' serum was examined for adiponectin, leptin, insulin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum glucose and apolipoprotein spectrum were also evaluated.
Results: High fat feeding resulted in a significant 34% decrease in adipose tissue zinc content in comparison to the control values. Fat pad zinc levels were significantly inversely associated with morphometric parameters, circulating leptin, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-α levels and HOMA-IR values. At the same time, a significant correlation with apolipoprotein A1 concentration was observed.
Conclusions: Generally, the obtained data indicate that (1) high fat feeding results in decreased adipose tissue zinc content; (2) adipose tissue zinc content is tightly associated with excessive adiposity, inflammation, insulin resistance and potentially atherogenic changes.
Keywords: adipose tissue; endocrine dysfunction; inflammation; obesity; zinc.