Mild obesity reduces survival and adiponectin sensitivity in endotoxemic rats

Abstract Background Recent meta-analyses have reported that critically ill patients with morbid obesity (body mass index >40 kg/m 2 ) have poor outcomes, but the effects and mechanisms of action of mild obesity are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mild obesity using a lard-based, high-fat diet (HFD) on pathologic conditions and the mechanisms of adiponectin action in endotoxemic rats. Materials and methods Male Wistar rats underwent HFD feeding for 4 wk and were killed at 0, 1.5, and 6 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Plasma levels of adiponectin, nitric oxide, and interleukin 6; messenger RNA expression of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in the liver and the skeletal muscle; blood biochemical test results; and histology of the liver were analyzed. Results HFD-fed rats had a lower survival rate (12.8% versus 85.2%) and lower plasma adiponectin levels after LPS injection ( P P Conclusions Short-term, HFD-induced, mild obesity is harmful to the septic host, reduces adiponectin sensitivity, and could be the cause of worsening pathologic conditions.