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Comparison of western diet-induced obesity and streptozotocin mouse models: insights into energy balance, somatosensory dysfunction, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Frontiers in physiology
May 5, 2023
Nadia Elshareif et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the long-term effects of a Western diet (WD) on metabolic, cardiac, and somatosensory function in mice, comparing WD alone to WD combined with low-dose Streptozotocin (STZ).

Results Summary

The study found that WD exacerbated glucose homeostasis dysfunction via reduced insulin secretion and impaired peripheral insulin signaling. Both WD and WD + STZ groups showed similar cardiac autonomic neuropathy and neuropathic pain symptoms, with elevated Atf3 levels in dorsal root ganglia.

Population

Mice fed a Western diet (high fat, sucrose, and cholesterol).

Effective Dosage

Not specified (low-dose STZ mentioned but exact dosage not provided).

Duration

Not specified (long-term effects studied but exact duration not provided).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (15)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Western diet (WD) of high fat, sucrose, and cholesterol
decrease
energy balance and glucose homeostasis, allodynia and cardiac function
mice
-
altered
#1
Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
glucose homeostasis
WD-fed mice
-
exacerbated dysfunction
#2
Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
insulin secretion
WD-fed mice
-
reduced
#3
Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
peripheral insulin signaling
WD-fed mice
-
impaired
#4
Western diet (WD)
decrease
cardiac autonomic neuropathy
mice
-
exhibited
#5
Western diet (WD)
decrease
heart rate variability
mice
-
reduced
#6
Western diet (WD)
decrease
protein levels of cardiac autonomic markers
mice
-
decreased
#7
Western diet (WD) + Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
cardiac autonomic neuropathy
mice
-
exhibited
#8
Western diet (WD) + Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
heart rate variability
mice
-
reduced
#9
Western diet (WD) + Streptozotocin (STZ)
decrease
protein levels of cardiac autonomic markers
mice
-
decreased
#10
Western diet (WD)
increase
symptoms of neuropathic pain
mice
-
developed
#11
Western diet (WD)
increase
levels of activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) in the dorsal root ganglia
mice
-
elevated
#12
Western diet (WD) + Streptozotocin (STZ)
increase
symptoms of neuropathic pain
mice
-
developed
#13
Western diet (WD) + Streptozotocin (STZ)
increase
levels of activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) in the dorsal root ganglia
mice
-
elevated
#14
Streptozotocin (STZ)
no change
cardiac and somatosensory dysfunction
WD-fed mice
-
did not lead to or worsen
#15
Abstract

Metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are increasingly prevalent worldwide, necessitating a deeper comprehension of their underlying mechanisms. However, translating findings from animal research to human patients remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of Streptozotocin (STZ) on metabolic, cardiac, and somatosensory function in mice fed a Western diet (WD) of high fat, sucrose, and cholesterol with low doses of STZ administration compared to mice fed WD alone. In our research, we thoroughly characterized energy balance and glucose homeostasis, as well as allodynia and cardiac function, all of which have been previously shown to be altered by WD feeding. Notably, our findings revealed that the treatment of WD-fed mice with STZ exacerbated dysfunction in glucose homeostasis via reduced insulin secretion in addition to impaired peripheral insulin signaling. Furthermore, both WD and WD + STZ mice exhibited the same degree of cardiac autonomic neuropathy, such as reduced heart rate variability and decreased protein levels of cardiac autonomic markers. Furthermore, both groups developed the same symptoms of neuropathic pain, accompanied by elevated levels of activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) in the dorsal root ganglia. These discoveries enhance our understanding of metabolic activity, insulin resistance, neuropathy, and cardiac dysfunction of diet-induced models of obesity and diabetes. The exacerbation of impaired insulin signaling pathways by STZ did not lead to or worsen cardiac and somatosensory dysfunction. Additionally, they offer valuable insights into suitable diet induced translational mouse models, thereby advancing the development of potential interventions for associated conditions.

Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety20
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations2
Citations/Year1.0
Relative Citation Ratio0.56
NIH Percentile30.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.31
Normalized Score0.55
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