Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of metabolic disorders that co-occur, among them dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory states. It further increases the risk of developing different chronic diseases, which can even lead to death, as reported by international health institutions. This study assessed the impact of a highfructose diet (HFD) on the development of metabolic syndrome in rats. Twelve male rats were randomly split into two groups: six rats in each group; the control group; and the HFD group (35%). Both groups had assessments of their growth parameters and biological markers. The obtained results demonstrated that HFD significantly increased the levels of liver glycogen, lipid profile, and transaminase enzymes activities when compared to control group. Furthermore, compared to the control group, the HFD group showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Moreover, histological analysis revealed a significant alteration of hepatocytes architecture and appearance of lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatic tissue of the HFD group. In summary, fructose is a potent inducer of metabolic syndrome in rats by affecting many bodily metabolisms.