Effects of various levels of dietary fructose on blood lipids of rats

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 24; no. 7; pp. 565 - 571
• Main Authors: Benado, M, Alcantara, C, De la Rosa, R, Ambrose, M, Mosier, K, Kern, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Science 01-07-2004
• Subjects: adverse effects; American diets; Americans; Biological and medical sciences; blood lipids; cholesterol; eating habits; energy balance; experimental diets; Feeding. Feeding behavior; food conversion; food intake; fructose; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; high carbohydrate diet; high density lipoprotein; hyperlipidemia; liver; low density lipoprotein; rats; tissue weight; triacylglycerols; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; very low density lipoprotein; weanlings; weight gain; United States; Rat; Rodentia; Lipids; Supplemented diet; Triglycerides; Triglyceride; Cholesterol; Fructose; Feeding; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Diet; Carbohydrate
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(04)00048-X

Research has demonstrated that diets high in fructose (> = 17% of energy) are potentially hyperlipidemic; however, few studies have addressed the hyperlipidemic potential of fructose when fed to healthy subjects at levels similar to those in the typical American diet (approximately 10% of energy). A total of 40 weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and fed various levels of fructose (0%, 10%, 20%, and 45% of energy) for 28 days. Serum lipid profiles were analyzed after a 12-hour fast at the end of the study. Serum total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol were highest (P < 0.05) in the 20% and 45% fructose groups. Serum HDL cholesterol was higher (P < 0.05) for all fructose-fed groups and was highest in the 10% group. According to this animal model, the adverse effects on blood lipids detected in the rats fed 20% fructose or more (levels commonly consumed in the human diet) suggests a potential increased risk for atherosclerosis. However, less concern is warranted for an average diet containing 10% of energy from fructose.