Objective To observe the characteristics of a metabolic syndrome (MS) model induced by the combination of high fat diet (HFD) and chronic stress (CS) in rats.
Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: fed on either a standard chow diet or a HFD and given chronic stress or not for 12 weeks. Insulin resistance (IR), levels of serum cortisol, levels of hepatic total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) and their water-soluble components, hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation in liver, mRNA expressions of liver X receptor α (LXRα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver, and visceral fat and endocrine function were detected and evaluated.
Results CS could aggravate IR, dyslipidemia, hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress, and adipose tissue endocrine disorders in rats. The characteristics of this model were further elevated hepatic water-soluble components of TC and TG (deleterious lipoprotein), further down-regulated mRNA expressions of LXRα and PPARγ, and increased levels of serum cortisol.
Conclusion The combination of HFD and CS in male Wistar rats could induce a typical MS model, and CS can aggravate MS status induced by HFD.
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