Short-term high-fat diet elevates oxidative stress in male but not female A53T mice without altering striatal dopaminergic markers

Abstract

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption influences the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with effects varying based on exposure duration. This study examined the impact of a short-term, lard-based HFD on motor and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as dopaminergic markers, in a PD mouse model (A53T mice). One-month-old male and female A53T mice were fed either a control (10 % kcal from fat) or an HFD (45 % kcal from fat) diet for three months. Sex-specific differences in weight gain, behavior, and dopaminergic markers were assessed. HFD-fed male mice gained significantly more weight than control males (p < 0.0001),whereas weight gain in females was less affected by diet. No significant dietary effects were observed on motor behaviors or dopaminergic markers, including α-synuclein, dopamine, dopamine receptor D2, dopamine transporter, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2. However, a significant sex effect was found for anxiety-like behavior. Additionally, oxidative stress was elevated in males compared to females and was further exacerbated by HFD in males. These findings suggest that although short-term HFD did not impact motor behavior or dopaminergic markers, male mice were more susceptible to HFD-induced weight gain and oxidative stress than females.