Catch-up growth, a risk factor for obesity and type 2 diabetes, is often associated with high fat deposition, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance. This study hypothesized that refeeding with a high-fat diet rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (ePUFA) improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Rats were calorie-restricted, then refed with low-fat (LF), high-fat saturated/monounsaturated (HF-SMFA), or high-fat ePUFA diets. The HF-SMFA diet led to increased fat deposition, higher insulin and glucose levels, and reduced insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. The ePUFA diet prevented these negative effects, but did not significantly increase insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. Therefore, enhanced insulin sensitivity plays a minor role in the beneficial effects of ePUFA on glucose homeostasis during catch-up growth.

Julie Calonne, Helena Marcelino, Christelle Veyrat-Durebex, Isabelle Scerri, Abdul G. Dulloo