Consumption of a Taiwanese cafeteria diet induces metabolic disorders and fecal flora changes in obese rats

Yu-Chieh Tseng, Lu-Chi Fu, Ho-Ching Chong, Shu-Ting Tang, Suh-Ching Yang, Wen-Chung Huang, Yu-Chen Sh Yang, Ya-Ling Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Among diet-induced obesity animal models, the cafeteria diet, which contains human junk food and processed foods, is a popular experimental animal diets in Western countries. Consumption of a cafeteria diet can lead to the development of obesity and non-alcoholic liver disease in as soon as 2 mo, which more accurately reflects human eating patterns. The aim of this study was to establish a Taiwanese cafeteria diet and compare it with a traditional lard-based, 60% high-fat diet in a 12-wk animal model.

METHODS: Six-wk-old male Wistar rats were assigned to the following three groups: control diet (C; LabDiet 5001); high-fat diet (HFD; 60% HFD); and the Taiwanese cafeteria diet (CAF).

RESULTS: At the end of the study, weight gain and steatosis were observed in the HF and CAF groups. Compared with the HFD group, rats in the CAF group showed significantly higher plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and insulin resistance, which may have been correlated with increased inflammatory responses. Significantly lower hepatic sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and insulin receptor substrate-1 protein expressions were observed in the CAF group compared with the HFD group. Additionally, disruption of the microbiotic composition followed by increased obesity-related bacteria was observed in the CAF group.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed that the Taiwanese cafeteria diet-induced rat model provided a potential platform for investigating obesity-related diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112230
Pages (from-to)112230
JournalNutrition
Volume117
Early online dateSept 22 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Fecal flora changes
  • Metabolic disorder
  • Obesity
  • Taiwanese cafeteria diet

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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