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. 2012 Jan;39(1):57-62.
doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05636.x.

Timing of fructose intake: an important regulator of adiposity

Mariana Morris  1 , Iara C Araujo, Roberta L Pohlman, Mariana C Marques, Naima S Rodwan, Vera M A Farah
Affiliations

Timing of fructose intake: an important regulator of adiposity

Mariana Morris et al. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2012 Jan.

Abstract

1. Overconsumption of fructose produces glucose intolerance, autonomic abnormalities and renal dysfunction and may be related to the worldwide epidemic of obesity and diabetes. 2. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the time period (light or dark) of fructose consumption influenced the pathological consequences. C57BL mice were given standard chow and assigned to one of three groups: (i) control (n = 10), which received water over a 24 h period; (ii) FL (n = 11), which received 10% fructose solution during the 12 h light period; and (iii) FD (n = 11), which received 10% fructose solution during the 12 h dark period. 3. There was a time related increase in body weight for all groups (P < 0.01, 2 vs 6 wks). There was a greater increase in body fat in the FL group compared with the control and FD groups. The changes in adiposity occurred even though the total caloric intake was not significantly different among the groups (approximately 18 kcal/day). Total fluid (water + fructose) consumption was greater in the FD and FL groups compared with control at 6 weeks. Significant increases were noted for plasma insulin and leptin at 8 weeks, with highest levels in the FL compared with FD group (P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in glucose, glucose tolerance, cholesterol, triglycerides or adiponectin. 4. The results of the present study suggest that there is a mismatch in caloric consumption, metabolism and adiposity as related to the light-dark cycle of fructose consumption. These findings have clinical implications in the control of bodyweight, abdominal fat accumulation and Type 2 diabetes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schedule of general procedures. Week 1, male mice began the dietary challenge with fructose (10%) given during either the 12 hr light (0700h -1900h) or 12hr dark period (1900h-0700h). At weeks 2 and 6, body composition (body weight and body fat), fluid intake and chow comsumption were evaluated ( n = 9-11/group). Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed at week 7. At week 8, animals were euthanatized for tissue and plasma collection for measurement of adipocyte size and metabolic related plasma analytes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Body Weight, Body Fat and Adipocyte Size Body weight increased significantly over the 6 wk time course (Figure 2a, time effect of p<0.0001 without significant group effect). Concomitant changes in body fat were observed over time (p<0.0001) with evidence of group effect (p<0.05) and time/group interactions (p<0.02) (Figure 2b). There was no significant change in body fat in Controls. FL mice showed an enhanced response to fructose consumption (2.6 and 1.5 fold higher than Control and FD, respectively).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cell size in white epididymal fat. Fixed, H&E stained tissue was examined using light microscopy and image analysis. Data show mean ± SEM. Control: Water; Fructose Light: Water during dark and fructose during light; Fructose Dark: Water during light and fructose during dark. ANOVA showed a group effect [F(2,18) = 3.80, p<0.042]. *p<0.05, Fructose Light vs. Control.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Insulin, Leptin, Adiponectin, Glucose, Glucose Tolerance and Lipids Plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, adiponectin and glucose were analyzed in fasted mice (wk 8, Table 1). There were no significant differences in any of the parameters. There were significant increases in plasma insulin and leptin in FL as compared to FD (Figure 4), providing evidence for metabolic dysfunction in mice consuming fructose during the light period.
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