Effect of High Carbohydrate Diet on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant Induced Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

Chronic low grade inflammation is an essential pathological feature of a variety of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases have now superseded infectious diseases where the burden of disease is concerned. One of the important modifiable factors contributing to chronic disease is food high in carbohydrate. This study was planned to study the role of high carbohydrate diet on a model of inflammation induced by Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each. Group I fed with standard diet serving as control; Group II fed with high carbohydrate diet (HCD) and Group III fed with standard diet serving as disease free normal group. CFA was injected subcutaneously into the hind paw 4weeks after starting the diet into groups I and II only. Diet was continued for up to 21days after CFA injection. Digital plethysmometer measured the paw volume. Blood obtained before euthanasia served for estimating cytokines and oxidative stress parameters. A rise in paw edema was seen in control and high carbohydrate diet groups up to day 21. In the high carbohydrate group there were high serum cytokine levels and significant depletion of antioxidant enzymes. The authors conclude that, a high carbohydrate diet contributes significantly to the process of inflammation which has now been established as a significant factor in the causation of NCDs. Therefore it would be prudent to restrict carbohydrates in our diet.