Volume 49, Issue 4 (3-2026)
Research in Medicine 2026, 49(4): 1-14 |
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Ethics code: IR.SBMU.AEC.1403.074
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Soltani Largani H, Ojaghi S, Azarkish F, 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) :1-14
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3517-en.html
URL: http://pejouhesh.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-3517-en.html
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , homeira_zardooz@yahoo.com
Abstract: (1040 Views)
Background and Aim: Evidence suggests 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 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), and TNF-α (control: 15.37 ± 1.25, diet: 97.75 ± 6.79, P < 0.0001), as well as a longer duration of immobility in the forced swim test (control: 219.8 ± 13.49, diet: 263.1 ± 11.20, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Long- term consumption of a high- fat/ high- fructose diet during adulthood appears to induce 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 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), and TNF-α (control: 15.37 ± 1.25, diet: 97.75 ± 6.79, P < 0.0001), as well as a longer duration of immobility in the forced swim test (control: 219.8 ± 13.49, diet: 263.1 ± 11.20, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Long- term consumption of a high- fat/ high- fructose diet during adulthood appears to induce 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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