High-fat diet increases the level of circulating Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Wistar rats, independent of obesity

Introduction: Low-grade chronic inflammation has emerged as a key pathogenic link between high-fat diet (HFD)– induced obesity and the increased risk of chronic diseases. Evidence has shown that HFDs may induce inflam mation in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) is a product of various cells that is known to be an inflammatory marker. This study investigated whether a HFD could induce obesity and increase the level of MCP-1 in Wistar rats. Methods: The Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: normal diet (ND) and HFD (n = 12 per group). Both groups were fed for 8 and 16 weeks, thus dividing the rats into 4 arms: ND8, ND16, HFD8, and HFD16 (n = 6 per sub-group). Obesity in rats was measured using the Lee index. Blood samples were taken to measure the level of MCP-1. Results: Our results showed that obesity did not occur in the group with a normal diet (ND8 and ND16). However, in the HFD group (HFD8 and HFD16), 4 of the 6 rats became obese. However, MCP-1 was significantly higher among non-obese rats in the HFD group compared with the ND group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: HFDs have been shown to increase the risk of obesity. In addition, increases in circulating MCP-1 were significantly different between Wistar rats given a HFD compared with the ND group.