The investigation of effect of resveratrol on lipid profile and fatty liver in high-fructose-fed rats

The increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be due to the increased fructose intake in industrialized populations. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), usually containing 55% fructose and 42% glucose (HFCS-55), is extensively used in prepared foods and soft drinks. However, limited data is available related to the effects of HFCS on metabolic functions in animals as well as in humans. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound mainly abundant in plants, has beneficial metabolic and cardiovascular effects. This study was, therefore, designed to assess whether HFCS and resveratrol intakes influence some metabolic parameters and accumulation of lipid in the liver. We investigated the effects of HFCS (10% and 20% in drinking water for 12 weeks) and resveratrol (500 mg/kg in chow) on blood lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels as well as liver histology (hematoxylin- eosin and ORO staining) in male Wistar rats (12 weeks old). HFCS consumption led to increases in serum triglyceride, and insulin levels, but not body weight, in rats. Moreover HFCS consumption causes modest fatty liver of rats but this did not change plasma ALT and AST levels. Resveratrol treatment partly normalized HFCS-induced metabolic perturbations and lipid acuumulation. The presented results propose that HFCS-induced some metabolic abnormalities could be prevented by a diet with resveratrol.