Structural Changes in Skeletal Muscles and Visceral Fat under the Conditions of Insulin Resistance, Obesity and Hypothyroidism Against the Background of Trace Element Imbalance (Zn, I) in an Experiment
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The relevance of the study is due to the constant increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathology, the spread of obesity and comorbid conditions. Of particular interest are the scientific data on the participation of zinc in the endocrine function of the pancreas and thyroid gland, the development of structural and metabolic disorders. The aim of the study was to establish the peculiarities of the structural organisation of muscle and adipose tissue in rats with insulin resistance, obesity and hypothyroidism against the background of zinc and iodine deficiency. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on sexually mature male rats on a standard vivarium food and drinking diet (control group), on a diet low in zinc or iodine, and fed high-carbohydrate or high-fat diets. Results. The study revealed a decrease in the zinc content in the blood serum of animals of all experimental groups, in visceral fat – only against the background of a zinc-deficient diet and high-fat feeding, while an increase in the content of the trace element in muscles was observed in rats with zinc deficiency and insulin resistance compared to the control. The animals had a disturbed thyroid profile due to a decrease in thyroid hormone secretion against the background of hyperthyreotropinemia (under conditions of zinc and iodine deficiency, high-fat feeding) and a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (against a high-carbohydrate diet). A significant increase in the HOMA-IR index (especially under high-fructose feeding conditions) characterises the development of diet-induced insulin resistance in animals. Structural changes in skeletal muscles (thigh and shin muscles) and visceral fat are manifested by dystrophic processes in stromal elements, muscle fibers, adipocytes and the vasal component. Conclusions. When animals are fed diets with a limited content of zinc and iodine, excessive carbohydrate and fat consumption is accompanied by a trace element imbalance. Under such conditions, animals develop hormonal disorders (hypothyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance), and become overweight, including due to increased visceral fat. The detected disorders are consistent with changes in the structural organisation of skeletal muscle and visceral fat, which are interrelated and exacerbate metabolic imbalance.
Source: Archive of Clinical Medicine
Institution: Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University
Language: English
Topic: Trace Elements in Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4407761815