The effects of fenofibrate on metabolic and vascular changes induced by chocolate-supplemented diet in the rat

Current evidences suggest that diet per se plays an important role in genesis of metabolic and vascular function abnormalities. We have investigated the effects of addition of a high-fat diet (chocolate) in the presence or absence of short-term (7 days) administration of fenofibrate on metabolic and vascular changes in adult male Wistar rats. Despite similarities in total body weight in all groups, compared with control fed groups, chocolate-supplemented animals had significantly higher plasma triacylglyceride and non-esterified fatty acids and leptin (for all, P < 0.01), but not glucose or insulin levels. Fenofibrate treatment corrected metabolic changes. In the mesenteric arteries, responses to KCl and noradrenaline were significantly (for both, P < 0.01) higher in chocolate-supplemented group. Furthermore, vasorelaxant responses to carbamylcholine, but not to sodium nitroprusside, were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in the chocolate-supplemented group. Although fenofibrate failed to improve noradrenaline and KCl responses, it was effective in improving carbamylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. These data suggest that high-fat diet has a profound effect on plasma lipid profile and vascular function. Furthermore, fenofibrate treatment may ameliorate high-fat diet effects on vascular function and metabolic changes.