The 11ß hsd-1 and pai-1 gene expression analysis in liver and visceral fat tissues of metabolic syndrome rats

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an important health issue worldwide, its prevalence is gradually increasing mainly in the developed countries. In recent years, epidemiological and biochemical studies prove that the high level consumption of fructose has been one of the important factors in the development of MetS. The recent studies demonstrating the presence and the increased level of expressions of 11ß HSD-1 and PAI-1 genes in MetS show that they both play an important role in the pathogenesis of MetS. 11ß HSD-1 is thought to be responsible for the cortisol metabolism dysregulation and MetS development via converting inactive cortisol into active cortisol. In parallel with the 11ß HSD-1 gene expression, PAI-1 gene expression as well as the plasma activity with PAI-1 were also increased in the MetS and PAI-1 is known to be one of the main determinant of fibrinolytic activitiy, it also forms one of the independent risk factor of deformed fibrinolysis and cardiovascular diseases.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 20% fructose in the development of MetS by in rats the use of the biochemical and genetics approaches. The rats divided in two groups; MetS groups (n=10) rats were fed with water containing 20% fructose for 15 weeks and control groups (n=10) rats were fed with only water for 15 weeks. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, ALT, AST, CRP and cortisol were measuredboth groups. The gene expression levels of 11ß HSD-1 and PAI-1 from liver and omental adipose tissues were also investigated by QRT-PCR in both groups.The results showed that, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL, ALT, AST, CRP serum levels and HOMA-IR were found significantly increased MetS group in compared with control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA levels of 11ß HSD-1 and PAI-1 genes were also found to be increased in the MetS group compared to control group in liver and omental adipose tissue.These findings show that there are statistically significant differences in the biochemical parameters as well as the gene expression levels of 11ß HSD-1 and PAI-1 genes in MetS group and these changes prove the contributory role of the 20% fructose consumption to the development of MetS.