[Energy restriction reduces oxidative stress in the aorta and heart and corrects the atherogenic risk in obese rat]

Aim of the study: The aim was to see if 40% of caloric restriction can improve in rats, the oxidative stress induced by a high fat diet on liver, heart and aorta, and have a positive impact on the lipoproteins-cholesterol contents.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (n=12) consumed at weaning obesegenic diet. The obese rats were divided into two groups (n=6) each consumed for 4 weeks a normocaloric diet (1,60 MJ) or a calorie restricted diet (40% of energy of the standard diet [0.96 MJ]). A control group (n=6) was fed a standard diet during the experiment.

Results: Caloric restriction decreased cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, whereas the high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol was elevated. Levels of cholesterol in the aorta and heart were lowered in the group that consumed caloric restriction compared to normocaloric diet. The values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides were lowered in the aorta and the heart. The caloric restriction compared to normocaloric diet increased positively the superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in the heart and those of catalase and superoxide dismutase in aorta.

Conclusion: In obese rats, caloric restriction may play a role in the antioxidant defense of cardiovascular system by reducing proatherogenic cholesterol and lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant activity of some enzymes, which was in favor of reduction of cardiometabolic risk associated with obesity.