Obesity and hypertension are frequently associated. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of high fat diet on weight, blood pressure and left ventricule in dogs. We studied 6 male Beagle dogs before and after 7 weeks of hypercaloric hyperlipidic diet. Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular wall thickness, volumes, ejection fraction and mass. Results are expressed as % of variation of initial values. After 20 weeks, dogs presented abdominal obesity with increased body weight (11.9 +/- 2.3 to 15.2 +/- 2 kg; p < 0.03) associated with an increasing of systolic (196.5 +/- 14.6 to 260.1 +/- 17.5 mmHg; p < 0.03), diastolic (76.6 +/- 9 to 110.6 +/- 10.2; p < 0.004) and mean blood pressure (128.8 +/- 7 to 152.7 +/- 7.6 mmHg; p < 0.004). There were non significant changes concerning diastolic thickness of septum and posterior wall. Left ventricular volumes increased in diastole (41.1 +/- 4.5 to 48.9 +/- 10.3 cm3; p < 0.03) and systole (12.2 +/- 1.7 to 14.9 +/- 3.2 cm3; p < 0.03). So, despite any changes in wall thickness, we observed an increased of ventricular mass (67 +/- 15 to 80 +/- 24.3 g; p < 0.03). Ejection fraction remained unchanged.
Conclusion: it appears that hight fat diet induces obesity and hypertension in dogs; changes in left ventricule suggest a volodependent hypertension.