Efeitos metabólicos e testicular da administração em longo prazo de diferentes dietas hiperlipídicas em ratos adultos

Abstract

Obesity and its metabolic complications affects the endocrine system and multiple organs such as the testes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different high-fat diets (rich in saturated and / or polyunsaturated fatty acids) on body mass, carbohydrate metabolism and testicular morphology in rats at seven months old. 39 male Wistar rats (three months old) were divided into four groups: SC (standard chow, n = 9), HF-S (high fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids, n = 10), HF-P (high fat diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, n = 10), HF-SP (high fat diet rich in saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, n = 10). Body mass was monitored weekly until the end of the experiment. At the sacrifice (seven months old), blood samples were collected and the testes were dissected, weighed and processed for histomorphometrical, immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. Genital fat deposits were dissected and weighed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test, considering p < 0.05. Different high-fat diets promoted an increased in body mass compared with the SC group (p < 0.0001). Accordingly, the genital fat deposits were higher in the high-fat groups (HF-S, HF-P, HF-SP) than in the SC group, showing an increase of 67%, 91% and 90%, respectively (p = 0.0004). Regarding serum parameters, the animals in the HF-S and HF-SP groups presented hyperglycemia (p = 0.0060), hyperinsulinemia (p = 0.0030), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.0021). All of the hyperlipidemic groups showed hyperleptinemia (p = 0.0019). Serum triglyceride and serum testosterone levels did not differ among the groups. Concerning the testis, the SC, HF-P and HF-SP groups showed an increase on seminiferous epithelium height compared with the HF-S group (p = 0.0003). As the seminiferous tubule diameter, there was a decrease in the HF-SP group in comparison with the SC group (p = 0.0010). Cell proliferation was reduced in HF-S group compared with the SC group (p = 0.0450). Among the groups, no difference was observed in the testicular mass and in collagen level. In conclusion, the high fat diet administration, independent of the lipid quality, promotes overweight. Diet rich in saturated fatty acids (lard) alters the carbohydrate metabolism and the testicular morphology with reductions of seminiferous epithelium height, seminiferous tubule diameter and cell proliferation which could be related to a disturbance of spermatogenesis