Defining an Efficient Model for Inducing Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Wistar Rats

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are major health problems which often present a confounding therapeutic challenge. Gene-nutrient interactions are implicated in metabolic phenotypes like Metabolic Syndrome, and rats have been used extensively to study them. However, different models have been stated in literature. The aim of this study was to explore different models and determine the most efficient model(s) of achieving diet-induced metabolic syndrome in wistar rats. Wistar rats (n=208) weighing 100-120 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into gender pairs of 4 diets: standard rats’ chow, standard rats’ chow + 60% sucrose, high-fat (60% margarine) and high-fat (60% butter) and fed for nine (9) weeks. Body-mass Index (BMI), blood glucose, lipid profile, and insulin concentration were determined using standard methods. Male rats fed on HFD (butter) showed increases in all components of MS (Glucose=161.2±0.8 mg/dl, Insulin=800±69 ρmol/l, total cholesterol=96±3.2 mg/dl). Male rats fed on a high fat diet are the most efficient means of creating diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats.