Effects of the enriched environment on metabolism and neurocognitive performance in rats with a high-fat diet and moderate alcohol consumption

REARTES G; NIETO M; CAMPANELLA C; MORSONE M; DIAZ-GEREVINI GT; LOPEZ C; REPOSSI G

Córdoba

Jornada; XX Jornadas de Investigación Científica de la FCM-UNC; 2019

Secretaría de C y T de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, UNC

Increasing the stimuli present and habitat complexity (environmental enrichment) increases physical activity and counteracts the effect of harmful eating habits. It can also help in the treatment and recovery of pathologies related to the brain. The objective was to determine the effect of an enriched environment on metabolic and neurocognitive markers in male Wistar rats with a diet rich in saturated fats and moderate alcohol consumption.Thirty 12 months old male Wistar rats were used (trial duration 16 months). To alter their metabolism, they were fed a diet with 30% saturated fat (HFD) and/or moderate alcohol consumption (0.42 g / kg weight / day) (Alc). One group was housed in a larger cage (250 dm3) with enriched environment (AE) and the others in standard bioterio boxes. The animals were divided into 5 groups: 1) Control (chow diet), 2) HFD, 3) Alc, 4) HFD + Alc, 5) HFD + Alc + AE. Metabolic markers (BMI, glycaemia, HbA1c and blood lipids) were measured and neurocognitive tests: tail suspension, 8-branch maze and Hole Board test were performed. At the end of the experiment, the weight of the organs was determined. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and paired t test for the time series (p≤0.05).The glycemic values ​​and weight increased in the HFD, Alc and HFD + Alc groups, while HFD + Alc + AE showed lower values. All groups, except Control, presented HbA1c≥6.5% at the end of the trial. The Control and Alc groups decreased their cholesterolemias. Control and HFD + Alc + AE maintained normal triglyceridemia; in the other groups lipids increased significantly. The performance in neurocognitive tests decreased in all groups over time, but the treatments used influenced performance at the end of the trial. The weight of the organs increased in the Alc and HFD + Alc groups.The dietary treatments tested affected the metabolism, alcohol consumption and the HFD + Alc combination were the ones that showed the greatest changes in the parameters. The performance in neurocognitive tests decreased at the end of the trial in all groups with respect to their initial values. Exposure to the enriched environment improved metabolic markers and, to a lesser extent, neurocognitive aspects.