Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
879939828
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
D'souza, Anna M.,1987-
Title
Chronically elevated glucocorticoids in conjunction with a high fat diet : a model of non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Degree
M. Sc. -- York University, 2011
Publisher
Ottawa : Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, [2012]
Description
2 microfiches.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
<?Pub Inc> Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD) is characterized by lipid excess and is believed to be the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Previous studies have linked chronically elevated levels of glucocorticoids (GCs) with features of MetS, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and elevated plasma FFA (9, 8, 24). Little is known of the interactive effects of chronically elevated GC levels with poor lifestyle choices, including consumption of a high fat diet, and sedentarinism, especially in the context of NAFLD. Thus, we explore the effects of a short-term exposure to chronically elevated CORT levels in the presence of a high fat diet. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided to receive either corticosterone (CORT), via subcutaneous implantation of 400 mg of CORT pellets, or the equivalent amount of wax pellets to serve as a control for pellet treatment. Animals from each pellet group were then randomly assigned to either a 60% high fat diet (HFD) or normal rodent chow. In the presence of chronic CORT, HFD exacerbated hepatic steatosis. Hepatic fibrosis, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and visceral fat mass were dramatically elevated with chronically elevated plasma CORT. These effects were further exacerbated in the presence of HFD. Chronic CORT in conjunction with HFD also resulted in elevated fasting insulin and glucose values, severe whole body insulin resistance, and impairments to hepatic insulin signalling. These results suggest that HFD in the presence of chronic CORT can exacerbate development of NAFLD in an interim period.
ISBN
9780494806081
0494806087