International Archives of Medical and Health Research (IAMHR), pISSN: 2705-1420; eISSN: 2705-1439 
December 2025 Vol 6(1): pp.14-25    DOI: https://doi.org/10.33515/iamhr/2025.017/01

Copyright © 2025 C-International Archives

Original Article

Synergistic Effects of Combined High-Fat and High-Sugar Diets on Metabolic, Developmental, and Behavioral Dysfunction in Drosophila melanogaster

Lawal K. Olatunji,1,2 Abdulgafar O. Jimoh,3 Umar M. Tukur,3 Mustapha U. Imam,4 Kamaldeen O. Sanusi,4,5 Yasir M. Ahmad6

1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Abdullahi Fodiyo University of Science and Technology, Aleiro, Nigeria.

2Department of Public Health, Iconic Open University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

3Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

4Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.

5Department of Human Physiology, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria.

6Ministry of Health, Sokoto State, Sokoto, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: drlawalolatunji@gmail.com

Published March 12, 2026

 


ABSTRACT

Background: The rising global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is closely linked to excessive consumption of dietary fat and sugar. Although Drosophila melanogaster is a well-established model for diet-induced metabolic dysfunction, most studies examine high-fat diets (HFDs) or high-sugar diets (HSDs) independently, leaving the combined metabolic effects of these major components of Western diets insufficiently characterized. Aim: To compare the metabolic, developmental, and behavioural effects of HFD, HSD, and a combined high-fat/high-sugar diet (HFD+HSD) in Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: Flies were reared on control, HFD, HSD, or HFD+HSD diets. Developmental timing, larval morphology, adult body weight, locomotor activity, and systemic biochemical parameters were assessed. Expression levels of Brummer (bmm) and Insulin-like peptide 2 (ILP2) were quantified using RT-PCR. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with Post-hoc Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference test in IBM SPSS (Version 23). Results: HSD markedly delayed eclosion (23 vs. 11 days in controls) and significantly reduced larval length (245.48 ± 34.81 µm vs. 724.21 ± 61.28 µm). The combined HFD+HSD diet produced the most pronounced metabolic disturbances, with significant elevations in systemic glucose (male: p = 0.004; female: p < 0.001) and lipid levels. Locomotor performance was also most severely impaired in the HFD+HSD group. Gene expression analysis revealed significant up-regulation of bmm and ILP2, suggesting enhanced lipid mobilization and disrupted insulin signalling consistent with early obesity-associated metabolic dysregulation. Conclusion: Combined exposure to high fat and high sugar induces a stronger metabolic dysfunction phenotype than either diet alone. This integrated Drosophila model offers a powerful platform for investigating the multifactorial mechanisms underlying obesity and related metabolic disorders.

 

Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster, High-fat diet, High-sugar diet, Metabolic dysfunction, Insulin signaling

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