Metabolic syndrome is a disorder of energy metabolism characterized by persistently high prevalence and significant medical and economic burden on society. An effective animal model that closely replicates the key features of the syndrome in humans is essential for evaluating therapeutic strategies aimed at improving health outcomes. High-calorie diet-induced animal models of metabolic syndrome are preferred by many research groups for studying its pathogenesis, prevention and therapy. However, there are numerous variations in the types and proportions of carbohydrates and/or fats in the diets used. In 2015, our research team developed a diet-induced model of metabolic syndrome in young adult male Wistar rats that was based on adding 17% animal fat and 17% fructose to the standard rat chow and 10% fructose to the drinking water. This model reliably induced the morphometric and biochemical alterations that represent the core diagnostic features of the syndrome in humans. Since its initial introduction, we have utilized the high-fat high-fructose diet-induced model of metabolic syndrome/obesity in ten experimental studies. The current paper provides a protocol for applying the model, presents its repeatability and discusses the variability in the morphometric, biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and behavioral data of 10 experimental studies on Wistar rats.

Objectives The aim of this study is to assess thyroid dysfunction and the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its association with disease characteristics and activity. Methods 167 patients with SLE underwent laboratory evaluation for serum free T3, free T4, TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone). SLE patients with abnormal thyroid function test (TFT) and/or positive history of thyroid disease were further tested for antithyroglobulin antibody (Ab TG) and antithyroid peroxidase antibody (AbTPO). Patients who were tested negative for both of these autoantibodies were further tested for thyrotropin receptor antibody. Results 119 patients were euthyroid, 11 patients had subclinical hyperthyroidism, 6 – hyperthyroidism, 19 - subclinical hypothyroidism, and 12 - overt hypothyroidism. The SLE patients with hypothyroidism had statistically significant higher Ab TG, SLEDAI and SLAM score than the euthyroid and patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism, but no statistically significant difference between all groups as regard Ab TPO. There was a positive correlation between Ab TG levels and disease activity. The proportion of SLE patients with antithyroglobulin antibodies were found in higher frequency among the hypothyroid subgroup as compared to the hyperthyroid subgroup. Among the patients in the hyperthyroid subgroup, one patient had antithyroglobulin antibody, one patient had TSH receptor antibody and manifested signs characteristic of Grave's disease. Conclusions The thyroid dysfunction is frequent in SLE patients. Hypothyroidism were more likely to occur in SLE patients. There are a positive correlation between Ab TG levels and disease activity and negative correlation with free T3 and free T4. It is prudent to screen all SLE patients for thyroid dysfunction. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with an increased cardi-ovascular risk. The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of Chaenomeles japonica fruit juice (CJFJ) on energy balance, biochemical and histological parameters in rats with di-et-induced MS. Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups. For ten weeks, the Control group received a standard laboratory diet and tap water, while the other groups were given a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Control and MS groups were treated with distilled water, while the other three groups – with CJFJ at increasing doses. Results: Rats on HFHF diet consumed less food, more liquids and had a higher caloric intake than group Control. Among the CJFJ-treated animals, increased food consumption, as well as increased total caloric intake, and no difference in body weight gain were observed in comparison with group MS. CJFJ did not affect glucose tolerance, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. CJFJ prevented HFHF-induced decrease in superoxide dismutase and caused a decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum. The medium CJFJ dose prevented HFHF-induced increase in adipose tissue indices. Liver and adipose tissue histology revealed a protective effect of CJFJ. Conclusions: CJFJ exhibited appe-tite-stimulating, antioxidant, antiobesogenic and liver-protective properties in rats with diet-induced MS.

Effect of Aronia melanocarpa fruit juice on carrageenan-induced paw edema in metabolic syndrome rats

The fragrant organic monoterpene anethole is a component of anise and fennel essential oils. The research intended to evaluate the effects of anethole on spatial memory and oxidative stress in rats on a calorie-dense diet (CDD). Male Wistar rats ( n = 50) were allocated into 5 groups: Control, CDD, CDD + A62.5, CDD + A125, and CDD + A250. The dietary intervention lasted for 10 weeks, during which anethole at doses 62.5, 125, and 250 mg kg ⁻¹ was daily orally administered to the last three groups. In the 9th week, the open field test (OFT) for locomotor activity and the spatial object recognition test for spatial memory assessment were carried out. At the end of the experiment, the endogenous antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured in serum, and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in whole-brain homogenate as markers of lipid peroxidation. The OFT showed no significant differences in the locomotor activity across the groups. The consumption of CDD resulted in a decline in spatial memory manifested by the decrease of the recognition index, while anethole treatment prevented this effect in a concentration-dependent manner. In CDD group, the activity of SOD was significantly reduced ( P < 0 .05 vs. Control), while the brain TBARS were significantly elevated ( P < 0 .05 vs. Control). SOD level in CDD + A250 group was comparable to that of the control group. TBARS levels in all anethole-treated groups did not differ significantly from the control value. In conclusion, anethole prevented CDD-induced spatial memory impairment and reduced oxidative stress in rats on a calorie-dense diet.