EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUCROSE OPTION ON THE DIABETIC SYNDROME OF THE ESS RAT

The eSS rat is a model of human spontaneous non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Male eSS rats were divided at the age of 4 months into two groups (eSS(A) and eSS(B)), both receiving the usual commercial balanced diet with sucrose also made available to eSS(A). Sucrose intake did not imply a higher caloric diet, and no differences were found between groups in body weight and plasma triglyceride levels from 6 to 12 months of age. Sucrose option resulted in lower protein, lipid and carbohydrate intakes in eSS(A) animals. Plasma glucose values were higher in eSS(A) at different times of the tolerance curve. Likewise, eSS(A) kidneys showed significantly higher capsular and glomerular diameters and there was a discrete PAS-positive thickening of their basement membrane. We conclude that prolonged ad libitum sucrose intake, without weight gain, causes a moderate metabolic impairment and renal lesions in the eSS diabetic rat.