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Abstract
This study investigates the effects of high fructose consumption in the rat diet on body composition and metabolic parameters, including serum glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations. The effect of high fructose consumption on fasting and post-prandial ghrelin concentrations was also examined. Serum glucose concentrations were significantly higher in fructose-fed rats than dextrose-fed rats at weeks 1 (P = 0.047), 2 (P = 0.009), and 4 (P = 0.009). Greater increases in serum triglyceride concentrations were observed in the fructose-fed group at weeks 2 (P = 0.024), 3 (P = 0.024), and 4 (P = 0.032). Fasting ghrelin concentrations displayed trends toward significance for the treatment effect (P = 0.062) and the change over time (P = 0.076). Also, fructose-fed rats had significantly higher liver weights (P = 0.0004). This study demonstrates that high fructose consumption can affect metabolic parameters associated with obesity and may indicate an alteration in ghrelin activity.