A high-fat and high-fructose diet lowers the cecal digesta's weight and short-chain fatty acid level of a Sprague-Dawley rat model

Authors: ETIK SULISTYOWATI, DIAN HANDAYANI, SETYAWATI SOEHARTO, ACHMAD RUDIJANTO

Abstract: Background/aim: This study aimed to analyze the effect of a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) on the digesta weight and short- chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels of cecal digesta in rats. Materials and methods: This study was an experimental study with a posttest-only control group design with male Sprague-Dawley strain rats as the samples. A total of 36 rats were divided into two groups with normal diet (N) and modified HFFD. The data of energy intake, nutrients and fiber, body weight, Lee index, abdominal circumference, digesta weight, and SCFA levels of cecal digesta were collected. Results: The results showed an 11.94% increase in body weights of rats with HFFD. The total energy intake of the HFFD group was significantly higher than that of N (p = 0.000). The fiber intake and cecal digesta weight in group N were higher than that in the HFFD group (p = 0.00 and p = 0.02, respectively). The concentrations of acetate, butyrate, propionate, and total SCFA in the N group were significantly higher than in the HFFD (p = 0.041,,p = 0.004, p = 0.040, p = 0.013, respectively). A significant negative relationship was observed between the abdominal circumference and cecal digesta concentration (p = 0.029; r = -0.529) and between the Lee index and the SCFA concentration of cecal digesta (p = 0.036, r = -0.206). Conclusion: The research results showed that HFFD can reduce the weight and SCFA concentration of the cecal digesta. The negative relationship between abdominal circumference, the Lee index, and the SCFA concentration indicates the potential role in obesity inci- dence and metabolic diseases.

Keywords: Cecal digesta, diet, high-fat, high-fructose, short-chain fatty acid, SCFA

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