Obese male zucker rats show basilar dendritic retraction in the medial prefrontal cortex

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 22; p. e40210
• Main Authors: Utrilla Ramos, Vanessa Abigail, Mendoza Valero, Martha Denice, Robles Soto, Ricardo, Domínguez Juárez, Lesly, Ojeda Nani, Valentina, Sandoval Romero, María Constelación, Silva Gómez, Adriana Berenice
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 30.11.2024
• Subjects: Dendritic retraction; Dendritic spines; Medial prefrontal cortex; Obesity; Pyramidal neurons; Zucker rat; Dendritic spines; Medial prefrontal cortex; Obesity; Zucker rat; Dendritic retraction; Pyramidal neurons
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40210

Obesity, a prevalent disorder, predisposes individuals to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure. Obesity has been investigated in various organisms that display genetic, high-fat, and high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD)-induced obesity. Recent studies have found that both male and female Zucker rats, which are genetically obese, exhibit alterations in dendritic arborization of neurons in certain structures of the central nervous system. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze dendritic arborization and dendritic spine density of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of obese adult male Zucker rats using the Golgi-Cox method and Sholl analysis. Obese male Zucker rats exhibit increased body weight and high concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Analysis of mPFC pyramidal neurons in these rats revealed basilar dendritic retraction at a medium distance from the soma, in addition to a reduction in total basilar dendritic length, without any changes in dendritic spine density. These findings are consistent with previous reports, indicating that changes in dendritic retraction may occur as a result of the leptin receptor mutation itself, in addition to the reduction in dendritic arborization observed in other regions of the central nervous system in rats. Furthermore, we suggest the possibility that biological processes modulated by the mPFC, such as foraging and social behavior, are also affected. [Display omitted] •The medial prefrontal cortex neurons of obese Male Zucker rats exhibit dendritic retraction.•No alterations were observed in dendritic spines in the medial prefrontal cortex of obese Zucker rats.•Zucker rats are characterized by obese (Lee index >310), exhibiting hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia.