Human-relevant levels of added sugar consumption increase female mortality and lower male fitness in mice

Authors

James Ruff, University of Utah
Amanda Suchy, University of Utah
Sara Hugentobler, University of Utah
Mirtha Sosa, University of Utah
Bradley Schwartz, University of Utah
Linda Morrison, University of Utah
Sin Gieng, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Mark Shigenaga, Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute
Wayne Potts, University of Utah

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2013

Publication Title

Nature Communications

Volume

4

Issue Number

2245

DOI

10.1038/ncomms3245

Disciplines

Nutrition

Abstract

Consumption of added sugar has increased over recent decades and is correlated with numerous diseases. Rodent models have elucidated mechanisms of toxicity, but only at concentrations beyond typical human exposure. Here we show that comparatively low levels of added sugar consumption have substantial negative effects on mouse survival, competitive ability, and reproduction. Using Organismal Performance Assays—in which mice fed human-relevant concentrations of added sugar (25% kcal from a mixture of fructose and glucose, modeling high fructose corn syrup) and control mice compete in seminatural enclosures for territories, resources and mates—we demonstrate that fructose/glucose-fed females experience a twofold increase in mortality while fructose/glucose-fed males control 26% fewer territories and produce 25% less offspring. These findings represent the lowest level of sugar consumption shown to adversely affect mammalian health. Clinical defects of fructose/glucose-fed mice were decreased glucose clearance and increased fasting cholesterol. Our data highlight that physiological adversity can exist when clinical disruptions are minor, and suggest that Organismal Performance Assays represent a promising technique for unmasking negative effects of toxicants.

Comments

This article was originally published in Nature Communications, volume 4, issue 2245, 2013. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. SJSU users: use the following link to login and access the article via SJSU databases.

Recommended Citation

James Ruff, Amanda Suchy, Sara Hugentobler, Mirtha Sosa, Bradley Schwartz, Linda Morrison, Sin Gieng, Mark Shigenaga, and Wayne Potts. "Human-relevant levels of added sugar consumption increase female mortality and lower male fitness in mice" Nature Communications (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms3245

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