FRUCTOSE-INDUCED HYPERTENSION IN RATS IS CONCENTRATION-DEPENDENT AND DURATION-DEPENDENT

The present study determined the most suitable concentration and durat ion of fructose treatment for inducing hypertension in Wistar rats. Th e correlation between fructose-induced hypertension and hyperinsulinem ia was also evaluated. The rats were treated with 5%, 10%, or 20% fruc tose in drinking water. The greatest changes, including increases in b lood pressure, fluid intake, and plasma levels of insulin, glucose, an d triglycerides, and a decrease in food intake following fructose trea tment, were observed with the 10% solution. The times of the onset and maximum response differed for the various parameters measured. The in crease in blood pressure occurred earlier than the increase in the pla sma insulin level. All abnormalities disappeared rapidly after fructos e withdrawal. There was no significant correlation between plasma insu lin level and systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, treatment with 1 0% fructose in drinking water (equivalent to a diet containing 48-57% fructose) for one week or longer is appropriate for the rapid producti on of fructose-induced hypertension in Wistar rats, which is associate d with elevated levels of plasma insulin, glucose, and triglycerides.