Intestinal lymphatics alteration in mouse models of energy imbalance

Abstract In obesity or anorexia changes in body composition and mostly alterations in fat mass distribution are observed. The lymphatic system which is implicated in fat absorption might plays a major role in the phenotype and the development of these pathologies. In this study, two mice animal models were used : the High Fat Diet model used for obesity, and the Activity Based Anorexia model for anorexia. Lymphatic system marker levels were measured by RT- qPCR on the different parts of the intestine. Moreover, the impact of the models was evaluated on the lymphatic fat absorption using lipidic tracer. Using this two models, lymphatic system alterations were observed. Indeed, wether in obesity model or in anorectic model lymphatic fat absorption modifications were noticed with an increase of this parameter in the anorectic mice and a decrease in obesity. Expression levels of lymphatic markers were also impaired in these models. In conclusion, obesity and anorectic model induce lymphatic system alterations mainly in jejunum, ileum part of the intestine. Those alterations are associatied with lipid absorption modifications.