Histological Study on The Effects of Orlistat on Left Ventricular Myocardium of High Fat Diet-Fed Adult Male Wistar Rats

Obesity-induced by a high-fat diet in animal studies recapitulates the human form of obesity. Obesity is a serious public health concern, a risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. Our study evaluated the impact of orlistat on the left ventricular myocardium in high fat diet-induced obese adult Wistar rats. Our study included fifteen adult male Wistar rats weighing between (130-150g). The rats following environmental acclimatization were assigned into three groups A-C (n=5 each), the control (standard rat diet), high-fat diet only, high-fat diet, and orlistat as A, B, and C, respectively. The rats were placed on diets for eight weeks, which performed the sacrifice and histological procedures. The heart and left ventricles were excised and fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for histological studies. Body Mass Index (BMI) of the high-fat diet-only group markedly increased (P<0.05) relative to the control and the orlistat-treated groups. Heart weight and relative heart weights were not significantly different across the groups. Histological examination of the left ventricular myocardium with the hematoxylin and eosin stain revealed significant deviation from the regular pattern in the high-fat diet-only group. The orlistat-treated group showed a near-normal left ventricular myocardial histoarchitectural pattern. Orlistat ameliorated left ventricular myocardial alteration, restored elastic tissue component, and reversed increased collagen deposition in high fat diet-induced obese male Wistar rats.