Diet-induced obesity influences atherogenic indices and increases risk of cardiovascular disease in male Wistar rats

Background: Relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases is complex. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between diet-induced obesity and atherogenic indices. Material and methods: Two groups of 8-weeks old male Wistar rats (170 ± 15 g) were fed with normal chow and high fat diet (HFD) respectively ad libitum for 10 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), adiposity index, serum lipid profile and atherogenic indices were measured. Associations between lipidemic indices, BMI and atherogenic indices were evaluated. Results: The group fed with HFD only had significantly increased BMI (0.7630 ± 0.083, p = 0.0065). Serum TG (p < 0.01), LDL-c (p = 0.017), VLDL-c (p < 0.01), and total cholesterol (p = 0.035) were significantly elevated among the animals with relatively higher BMI (BMI > 0.0.71 g/cm2). There was a significant positive linear association of BMI with most of the atherogenic indices investigated: coronary risk ratio (CRR) (OR 48; 95% CI 4.993, 461.50; p < 0.001), atherogenic index (AI) (OR 1.0; 95% CI = 2.56, 229.57; p < 0.001) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) (OR 65.0; 95% CI 6.68, 648.26; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Consumption of HFD induces hyperlipidemia and increase the risk of coronary artery diseases by increasing the atherogenic indices.