Volume 49, Issue 4 (3-2026)
Research in Medicine 2026, 49(4): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.SBMU.AEC.1403.074
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Soltani Largani H, Ojaghi S, Zardooz H. The impact of long-term high fat-high fructose diet consumption on the occurrence of depressive like behaviors in adult male rats. Research in Medicine 2026; 49 (4)
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3517-en.html
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3517-en.html
Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran & Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , homeira_zardooz@yahoo.com
Abstract: (42 Views)
Background and Aim: Evidence suggest that hypercaloric dietary patterns, particularly high-fat and high-fructose diets, may adversely affect mental health and behavior through metabolic disturbances and systemic inflammation. However, limited data are available regarding the combined effects of these dietary components on depressive-like behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term consumption of a high-fat/high-fructose diet during adulthood on lipid profile, systemic inflammation, and depressive-like behavior in adult rats.
Methods: In the present experimental study Twenty male Wistar rats, 7-week-old, were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either a standard chow diet or a high-fat/high-fructose diet. The animals were fed their respective diets for eight weeks. At the end of the intervention period, plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), and TNF‑α were measured. Depressive‑like behavior was evaluated using the forced swim test. Data were analyzed using the unpaired t‑test.
Results: Consumption of a high‑fat/high‑fructose diet resulted in the increased plasma concentrations of FFA (control: 0.54 ± 0.04, diet: 0.76 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), TG (control: 47 ± 5.63, diet: 68.50 ± 4.86, P < 0.05), TNF-α (control: 15.37 ± 1.247, diet: 97.75 ± 6.79, P < 0.001) in plasma and duration of immobility in the forced swim test (control: 219.8 ± 13.49, diet: 263.1 ± 11.20, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: It appears that long‑term consumption of a high‑fat/high‑fructose diet during adulthood causes dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation and is associated with the emergence of depressive‑like behaviors. These findings highlight the close interplay between metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, and behavioral outcomes.
Methods: In the present experimental study Twenty male Wistar rats, 7-week-old, were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either a standard chow diet or a high-fat/high-fructose diet. The animals were fed their respective diets for eight weeks. At the end of the intervention period, plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG), and TNF‑α were measured. Depressive‑like behavior was evaluated using the forced swim test. Data were analyzed using the unpaired t‑test.
Results: Consumption of a high‑fat/high‑fructose diet resulted in the increased plasma concentrations of FFA (control: 0.54 ± 0.04, diet: 0.76 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), TG (control: 47 ± 5.63, diet: 68.50 ± 4.86, P < 0.05), TNF-α (control: 15.37 ± 1.247, diet: 97.75 ± 6.79, P < 0.001) in plasma and duration of immobility in the forced swim test (control: 219.8 ± 13.49, diet: 263.1 ± 11.20, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: It appears that long‑term consumption of a high‑fat/high‑fructose diet during adulthood causes dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation and is associated with the emergence of depressive‑like behaviors. These findings highlight the close interplay between metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, and behavioral outcomes.
Keywords: High fat-high fructose diet, Systemic inflammation, TNF-α, Depressive-like behavior, Forced swim test
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Physilogy
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2026/05/7 | Published: 2026/06/2
Received: 2026/02/3 | Accepted: 2026/05/7 | Published: 2026/06/2
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