Distinct effects of glucose and fructose on gut and liver transcriptome in mice

The metabolic syndrome, in which insulin resistance, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia and/or hypertension co-occur, is an increasing health problem and can result in various metabolic diseases. A high-sugar consumption, including glucose and fructose, is especially linked to an accelerated development of the metabolic syndrome. Recently the role of the gut has been highlighted in fructose metabolism. Here we studied the effects of a 2-weeks high-fructose diet as compared to a high-dextrose diet and a cornstarch diet, in the small intestine and liver transcriptome of mice. There were no differences in weight gain and food intake between all groups. Liver weight was solely increased in fructose-fed mice. Surprisingly, the glucose-fed mice displayed increased hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs) content. Overall, we found major effects in the small intestine and only limited changes in the liver transcriptome. The transcriptome of fructose-fed mice was distinct from the dextrose and cornstarch fed mice in both gut and liver, while dextrose and cornstarch feeding only caused differences in the gut transcriptome. Taken together, we underscore the importance of the small intestine in fructose metabolism and this study can provide cues about the harmful effects of dietary fructose and glucose.