Gut derived short chain fatty acids alter plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism in a sex-specific manner in Long-Evans rats

Shah, Shrushti Kaushikbhai (2019) Gut derived short chain fatty acids alter plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism in a sex-specific manner in Long-Evans rats. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (4MB)

Abstract

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), generated from the microbial fermentation of dietary fibers, alter lipid metabolism. However, sex-specific effects of SCFAs on lipid metabolism and lipidomic profiles are not known. Male and female Long-Evans rats were either given a mixture of SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate; molar ratio 60:20:20), or vehicle for seven days intraperitoneally. SCFAs significantly decreased plasma and hepatic cholesterol, triacylglycerols and plasma glucose in males, while there was no effect in females compared to their respective controls. SCFAs showed a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both males and females. SCFAs also altered the lipidomic profile of cholesteryl esters, triacylglycerols and phospholipids by decreasing the abundance of saturates and monounsaturates with a relative increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids. These findings demonstrate that SCFAs improve plasma and hepatic lipid profiles in a sex-specific manner, and may represent a cheaper therapeutic strategy against metabolic diseases.

Actions (login required)

View Item