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Protein source in a high‐protein diet modulates reductions in insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in fa/fa Zucker rats
Author(s) -
Wojcik Jennifer L.,
Devassy Jessay G.,
Wu Yinghong,
Zahradka Peter,
Taylor Carla G.,
Aukema Harold M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21312
Subject(s) - steatosis , insulin resistance , medicine , endocrinology , metabolic syndrome , soy protein , high protein diet , insulin , casein , chemistry , biology , diabetes mellitus , biochemistry , body weight
Objective High‐protein diets are being promoted to reduce insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the effect of protein source in high‐protein diets on reducing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis was examined. Methods Fa/fa Zucker rats were provided normal‐protein (15% of energy) casein, high‐protein (35% of energy) casein, high‐protein soy, or high‐protein mixed diets with animal and plant proteins. Results The high‐protein mixed diet reduced area under the curve for insulin during glucose tolerance testing, fasting serum insulin and free fatty acid concentrations, homeostatic model assessment index, insulin to glucose ratio, and pancreatic islet cell area. The high‐protein mixed and the high‐protein soy diets reduced hepatic lipid concentrations, liver to body weight ratio, and hepatic steatosis rating. These improvements were observed despite no differences in body weight, feed intake, or adiposity among high‐protein diet groups. The high‐protein casein diet had minimal benefits. Conclusions A high‐protein mixed diet was the most effective for modulating reductions in insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis independent of weight loss, indicating that the source of protein within a high‐protein diet is critical for the management of these metabolic syndrome parameters.