ADRENOCORTICAL INSUFFICIENCY DUE TO A SUSTAINED INCREASE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF SUCROSE IN THE DIET

VECINO, CV; CALANNI, JS; WISZNIEWSKI, M; SANCHEZ PUCH, S; REPETTO, EM; CYMERYNG, CB

CABA

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biociencias; 2017

SAIC-SAIB-SAI-SAA-SAB-SAB-SAFE-SAFIS-SAH-SAP

Obesity and insulin-resistance (IR) have been linked to an increaseconsumption of sweet beverages. Higher glucocorticoid levels couldworsen this condition. In this study we evaluate long term effects ofthe administration of a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) on the morphologyand function of the adrenal gland and assessed the therapeuticeffect of hemin treatment. Rats were randomized into 4 groups(n=4): Control, SRD-fed rats (C, SRD) and C and SRD-fed ratsreceiving 15 mg/kg hemin (ip) (H and SRD+H) during the last twoweeks of the experimental period (12 weeks). Statistical significancewas analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey?s post hoc test.At the end of the experiment, serum metabolites such asglucose and total cholesterol levels (vs. C, p<0.01) were increasedin SRD and SRD+H animals. Results from an insulintolerance test indicate that hemin treatment did not modifyinsulin sensitivity or the triglyceride/HDL-c index (IR parameter)either in C or in SRD-treated rats. Only SRD-treatedrats showed lower basal corticosterone levels and a reducedresponse to an acute ACTH stimulation (vs. C, p<0.05). Analysisof adrenocortical makers of oxidative stress showedan increase in lipoperoxide (vs. C, p<0.001) productionwhile gluthathione levels were significantly reduced (vs. C,p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry studies showed an increasein the number of Iba1 positive cells in the SRD group thatwas less evident in hemin treated rats (vs. SRD, p<0.05).Some Iba1 positive cells were also positive for ED1 (p<0.01)suggesting a phagocytic phenotype.In summary, the administration of a SRD has a significant impacton adrenocortical function, increasing oxidative stressand inflammatory markers in the adrenal cortex. As hemintreatment prevented these effects and also restored adrenocorticalfunction, we propose a role for oxidative stress andinflammation-related effects in the adrenocortical dysfunctionobserved in IR-rats.