Development of metabolic syndrome in high-sucrose diet fed rats is not associated with decrease in adiponectin levels

Association of circulating adiponectin levels with metabolic syndrome has been controversial, with studies reporting low as well as high circulating adiponectin levels in metabolic syndrome. Present study aims to examine prospectively the course of circulating adiponectin levels during development of metabolic syndrome in a diet-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome. In a prospective study, eight-week-old male wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n = 24 each). Group A: standard chow diet and group B: high sucrose diet. Body weight, total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and insulin levels were measured during the study. Oral fat and glucose tolerance tests were done during the study at various time points from weeks 2 to 26. Visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and adiponectin levels were also measured at week 48 in some of the rats. Significantly higher total adiponectin levels were found from week 2 to 26 in group B compared to group A (P = < 0.05), whereas HMW adiponectin levels were similar in both the groups. Postprandial triglycerides, obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance were also found to be significantly higher in group B compared to group A during this period (P = < 0.05). Total adiponectin levels of week 26 showed significant positive correlation with preceding postprandial triglyceride burden in group B (r = 0.60, P = 0.002). In conclusion, the present study finds that development of metabolic syndrome in high-sucrose diet fed rats is not associated with decrease in circulating adiponectin levels.