High fructose corn syrup supplementation progressively increased serum adenosine and inosine: Inosine raising blood pressure and heart rate in rats

Abstract

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) over-consumption underlies the obesity worldwide epidemics. Hepatic fructose
metabolism includes fructolysis, lipogenesis, and purines degradation to uric acid. The aim of this study was to
evaluate HFCS long-term effects on serum and hepatic adenosine (Ado) and inosine (Ino), as well as in vivo Ino effects
on cardiovascular function. Fed male Wistar rats were subjected to 30% HFCS-enriched drinking water for five months
(n = 15); every month, nucleosides were determined in serum and in isolated liver perfusate. Three months-old male
naive Wistar rats were pithed and cannulated to record blood pressure and heart rate after Ino administration (n = 3).
Rats consuming HFCS increased both Ado and Ino progressively in serum and livers’ perfusate; Ino increased
cardiovascular function. The progressive Ado and Ino hepatic release by fructose-enriched diet suggests their
contribution to raise glycemia through their gluconeogenic activation, and a higher serum Ino concentration might
be related to increase in arterial blood pressure.