Effects of diet composition on food intake and carcass composition in rats

Since most of the weight-reduced obese humans are in a protein deficit state, this study was designed to examine whether a high protein diet (HP) enhances the restoration of lean body mass and facilitates the maintenance of weight loss. Obesity in rats was produced by 16 weeks of high fat diet (HF) feeding. In the 17th week, all HF-fed obese rats were fed a limited amount of control diet to normalize their body weights, but they still had more body fat content. The HF-fed rats were then divided into subgroups with different diets offered for 5 weeks: HP, HF or chow diet. A control group was fed the chow diet throughout the study. HP feeding maintained normal body weight and carcass composition in weight-reduced obese rats by reducing feeding efficiency levels to within normal ranges. Weight-reduced rats fed a chow diet, however, had more fat mass than controls and HF feeding stimulated weight gain again. Therefore, a HP diet has a higher probability of enhancing weight loss maintenance in weight-reduced obese subjects than does a usual well-balanced diet.     

Self-selecting albino rats exhibit differential preferences for pure macronutrient diets: Characterization of three subpopulations

Analyses of natural feeding behavior in albino male Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrate that, when allowed to self-select from pure macronutrient diets (protein, carbohydrate and fat), these rats of the same genetic strain can be categorized into 3 subpopulations according to either their 24-h or their 12-h nocturnal patterns of nutrient intake. A majority of the animals (HC for high carbohydrate, 50% of the total population) consumed a diet rich in carbohydrate relative to protein or fat, while a smaller population of rats (HF, 30%) preferred the fat diet, and an even smaller population (HP, 20%) chose a high-protein diet. These 3 subpopulations, after a few weeks of maintenance on the diets, differed in their body weight, with the HF rats having a higher body weight than the HP animals, who tended to weigh more than the lightest HC rats. Whereas all subgroups exhibited a similar bimodal distribution of feeding during the nocturnal cycle, with peaks during the early and late dark periods, they were distinguishable on the basis of their nutrient consumption during specific phases of the dark cycle. This difference was most apparent in the early dark phase, when the 3 subgroups exhibited exaggerated preferences for the specific nutrient that was generally preferred over the 24-h cycle. This is in contrast to the middle dark phase, when diet preferences were attenuated or lost, and the late dark phase, when most rats were similar in showing an increased preference for protein and fat and a decreased preference for carbohydrate. The HF group was further distinguished by an unusually strong burst of feeding during the first 2 h of the dark period and an extra peak of feeding in the middle dark period (7th h), both of which were relatively high in fat content.     

Dietary sardine protein lowers insulin resistance, leptin and TNF-α and beneficially affects adipose tissue oxidative stress in rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

The present study aims at exploring the effects of sardine protein on insulin resistance, plasma lipid profile, as well as oxidative and inflammatory status in rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. Rats were fed sardine protein (S) or casein (C) diets supplemented or not with high-fructose (HF) for 2 months. Rats fed the HF diets had greater body weight and adiposity and lower food intake as compared to control rats. Increased plasma glucose, insulin, HbA1C, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids and impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance was observed in HF-fed rats. Moreover, a decline in adipose tissues antioxidant status and a rise in lipid peroxidation and plasma TNF-α and fibrinogen were noted. Rats fed sardine protein diets exhibited lower food intake and fat mass than those fed casein diets. Sardine protein diets diminished plasma insulin and insulin resistance. Plasma triacylglycerol and free fatty acids were also lower, while those of α-tocopherol, taurine and calcium were enhanced as compared to casein diets. Moreover, S-HF diet significantly decreased plasma glucose and HbA1C. Sardine protein consumption lowered hydroperoxide levels in perirenal and brown adipose tissues. The S-HF diet, as compared to C-HF diet decreased epididymal hydroperoxides. Feeding sardine protein diets decreased brown adipose tissue carbonyls and increased glutathione peroxidase activity. Perirenal and epididymal superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and brown catalase activity were significantly greater in S-HF group than in C-HF group. Sardine protein diets also prevented hyperleptinemia and reduced inflammatory status in comparison with rats fed casein diets. Taken together, these results support the beneficial effect of sardine protein in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome on such variables as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and oxidative and inflammatory status, suggesting the possible use of sardine protein as a protective strategy against insulin resistance and related situations.     

Effect of pre- and postweaning nutrition on dietary induced obesity in B6D2F2 mice

Our purpose was to ascertain whether a phase of postnatal overfeeding would interact with preweaning litter size in influencing dietary induced obesity in mice. Male and female B6D2F2 mice, reared in small (Sm = 4), medium (Md = 8) and large (Lg = 12) litters were maintained on high fat (HF) or control diets (C) for 6 weeks, beginning at weaning. After a further 4 weeks on lab chow, all animals were fed a cafeteria diet for another 6 week period. Body weight at weaning indicated Lg less than Md and Sm animals. Lg animals gained more weight during the postweaning period but their body weight remained lower than the Sm. HF animals from all litter sizes consumed more calories and gained more weight than C animals. During the period of cafeteria feeding the Sm animals gained more weight than the Md and Lg. Although males were heavier than females, the sexes responded similarly to treatment. The postweaning dietary regimen had no effect on the weight gained in response to cafeteria feeding.     

Adaptation of lipid-induced satiation is not dependent on caloric density in rats

Food intake is modulated by ingestive (gastrointestinal) and post-ingestive signals; ingested fat is potent to produce short-term satiety (satiation) but this can be modified by long-term ingestion of a high fat diet. AIM: Determine whether altered lipid-induced satiation is dependent on the fat content of the diet, rather than increased caloric density or changes in adiposity. METHODS: Initial experiments determined the differences in the microstructure of meal patterns in rats fed a high fat diet (HF: 38% fat kcal) and in rats pair-fed an isocaloric, isonitrogenous low fat diet (LF: 10% fat kcal) and changes in meal patterns measured after long-term maintenance on the HF diet. RESULTS: Rats fed the HF diet had a significant 50% increase in meal frequency compared to rats fed the LF diet; in addition, there was a significant reduction in meal size (32%) and inter meal interval (38%) consistent with induction of satiation. After 8 weeks on the HF diet, these parameters tend to approach those of rats maintained on the LF diet. There was a significant 56% decrease in the activation of neurons in the NTS in response to intragastric gavage of lipid in rats maintained for 8 weeks on the HF compared to LF diet. CONCLUSION: Dietary fat alters meal patterns consistent with induction of a short-term satiety signal. This signal is attenuated with long-term exposure to dietary lipid, in the absence of ingestion of additional calories or changes in body weight. This adaptation of short-term satiety might contribute to diet-induced obesity.     

Energy balance and hypothalamic effects of a high-protein/low-carbohydrate diet

Diets high in fat or protein and extremely low in carbohydrate are frequently reported to result in weight loss in humans. We previously reported that rats maintained on a low-carbohydrate-high fat diet (LC-HF) consumed similar kcals/day as chow (CH)-fed rats and did not differ in body weight after 7 weeks. LC-HF rats had a 45% decrease in POMC expression in the ARC, decreased plasma insulin, and increased plasma leptin and ghrelin. In the present study we assessed the effects of a low-carbohydrate-high-protein diet (HP: 30% fat, 65% protein, and 5% CHO) on body weight, caloric intake, plasma hormone levels and hypothalamic gene expression. Male rats (n=16) were maintained on CH or HP for 4 weeks. HP rats gained significantly less weight than CH rats (73.4+/-9.4 and 125.0+/-8.2 g) and consumed significantly less kcals/day (94.8+/-1.5 and 123.6+/-1.1). Insulin was significantly reduced in HP rats (HP: 1.8+/-0.6 vs. CH: 4.12+/-0.8 ng/ml), there were no differences between groups in plasma leptin and plasma ghrelin was significantly elevated in HP rats (HP: 127.5+/-45 vs. CH: 76.9+/-8 pg/ml). Maintenance on HP resulted in significantly increased ARC POMC (HP: 121+/-10.0 vs. 100+/-5.9) and DMH NPY (HP: 297+/-82.1 vs. CH: 100+/-37.7) expression compared to CH controls. These data suggest that the macronutrient content of diets differentially influences hypothalamic gene expression in ways that can affect overall intake.     

The effect of liver denervation on the consumption of various diets by rats

Liver afferents have been proposed to influence food intake control, however, previous studies have shown that chow (pellet) intake is apparently not altered in total liver denervated rats. The present study explored whether total liver denervation could alter the rats' intake of various diets other than chow pellets. Total liver denervations were verified using staining histological and monoamine histofluorescence techniques. The denervated and sham operated rats were given short-term (4-6 days) exposure to four diets: (diet 1, chow plus a 32% w/v sucrose-water solution; diet 2, 1:1 mixture of powdered chow and granular glucose; diet 3, 33% w/w Crisco and powdered chow mixture and diet 4, a 5% w/v glucose-water solution plus chow. Body weight gains were not affected-by either surgery or diet exposure. Daily consumptions of the diets were similar in both groups, nevertheless, there was a trend for the denervated rats to consume slightly more of a high fat diet, which lends support for one hypothesized liver satiety mechanism. Also, the denervated rats consumed less (an average 5 kcal/day) of the 5% glucose solution (one hypothesis tested would predict an increase consumption of glucose by the denervated rats). Thus the liver may play a role, albeit small, through several ill defined mechanism(s) in the regulation of feeding.     

Diet composition alters the satiety effect of cholecystokinin in lean and obese Zucker rats

Although exogenous administration of the peptide cholecystokinin (CCK) has been shown to reduce food intake in a variety of experimental situations, few studies have examined the influence of dietary content upon CCK's effectiveness, particularly in obese states. To evaluate the effectiveness of CCK administration in animals consuming high fat diets, groups of obese and lean Zucker rats were maintained on laboratory chow (CH), a high fat diet isocaloric to chow (IF), or a hypercaloric fat diet (HF). After a 17 hr fast, rats were given intraperitoneal injections of saline or ascending doses of 0.06 to 2.0 micrograms/kg of the synthetic octapeptide of CCK. On all diets, obese rats required higher doses of CCK to significantly reduce feeding and showed smaller intake reductions than lean rats (p less than 0.001). Despite higher baseline caloric intakes (p less than 0.001), rats of both genotypes maintained on HF displayed larger reductions of intake than those fed IF or CH (p less than 0.001). Intake reductions by either genotype maintained on IF or CH were not reliably different. The manner in which the satiety effect of CCK was enhanced in rats consuming the calorically dense, palatable HF diet is unclear but may be related to orosensory and/or postingestive attributes of the diet.     

Post weaning high fat feeding affects rats' behavior and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis at the onset of puberty in a sexually dimorphic manner

Feeding adult rats with high fat (HF) diets can alter their hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis responsiveness. In the present study, we examined the effect of a high fat diet, applied in rats from weaning to puberty, on their behavior and HPA axis status at puberty onset. Wistar rats of both sexes were fed postweaning with two diets containing either 24% fat (high fat, HF) or 4.3% fat (normal chow) by weight. HF enhanced puberty onset in female rats, without increasing body weight gain in either sex, compared with chow-fed animals. In the forced swim test, HF males exhibited a more active behavioral response on the first day, whereas HF females a more passive response during the second day of the test, as compared with their chow-fed counterparts. In the open field test, HF females showed increased sniffing but reduced rearing, compared with chow-fed females and were less explorative than HF males in the central arena. All animals could learn and recall a water maze task though HF males spent more time in the opposite quadrant than chow-fed males during memory test. The HPA axis status of these animals was investigated under basal conditions. Pubertal fat-fed males had lighter adrenals, while females heavier ones, compared with their counterparts. In addition, plasma corticosterone levels of female rats were increased and glucocorticoid receptor levels in their hypothalamus were reduced due to fat diet, while in males no such changes were detected. We conclude that HF feeding during the prepubertal period can affect behavior and the HPA axis of rats at puberty onset, well before the appearance of the obese state, in a sexually dimorphic manner. Fat diet impacted more the female HPA axis, suggesting that their system is more sensitive to fat-induced nutritional imbalance during adolescence. Present data suggest that the fat-induced nutritional imbalance in young females may lead to neuroendocrine dysfunction that in turn may trigger the appearance of stress-related disorders during adolescence.     

Sucrose-induced hyperphagia and obesity in rats fed a macronutrient self-selection diet

Adult female rats were allowed to self-select their diet from separate sources of fat, protein, and carbohydrate (starch). Other rats were fed a composite diet that matched the nutrient composition chosen by the self-selecting rats (50% fat, 28% protein, 22% carbohydrate) or a low-fat, high-carbohydrate chow diet. Half of the rats in each diet condition were given access to a 32% sucrose solution for 30 days. Sucrose availability increased total caloric intake (approximately 20%) and body weight gain in all three groups compared to control groups not fed the sucrose solution. The selection animals compensated for their sucrose intake by reducing their fat intake, and to a lesser degree, their starch intake; protein intake was the least affected by sucrose availability. The selection rats consumed less sucrose than the chow-fed rats and displayed a smaller increase in weight, relative to controls, than the chow-fed rats. These differences were attributed to the high-fat intake of the selection animals since similar results were obtained with the rats fed the composite diet. In particular, both the selection and composite diets produced mild obesity in the absence of sucrose. The results demonstrate that sucrose-induced overeating and overweight is not an artifact of restraining the diet choices of rats to a pure sugar and a nutritionally complete diet.     

Abdominal adiposity, insulin and bone quality in young male rats fed a high-fat diet containing soybean or canola oil

OBJECTIVES:

A low ratio of omega-6/omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with healthy bone properties. However, fatty diets can induce obesity. Our objective was to evaluate intra-abdominal adiposity, insulin, and bone growth in rats fed a high-fat diet containing low ratios of omega-6/omega-3 provided in canola oil.

METHODS:

After weaning, rats were grouped and fed either a control diet (7S), a high-fat diet containing soybean oil (19S) or a high-fat diet of canola oil (19C) until they were 60 days old. Differences were considered to be significant if p<0.05.

RESULTS:

After 60 days, the 19S and 19C groups showed more energy intake, body density growth and intra-abdominal fat mass. However, the 19S group had a higher area (200%) and a lower number (44%) of adipocytes, while the 7S and 19C groups did not differ. The serum concentrations of glucose and insulin and the insulin resistance index were significantly increased in the 19C group (15%, 56%, and 78%, respectively) compared to the 7S group. Bone measurements of the 19S and 19C groups showed a higher femur mass (25%) and a higher lumbar vertebrae mass (11%) and length (5%). Computed tomography analysis revealed more radiodensity in the proximal femoral epiphysis and lumbar vertebrae of 19C group compared to the 7S and 19S groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that the amount and source of fat used in the diet after weaning increase body growth and fat depots and affect insulin resistance and, consequently, bone health.     

Effects of diet and handling on initiation of independent ingestion in rats

The present study examined the effects of dietary manipulation on the age of onset of weaning in rat pups. In Experiment 1, female rats were placed on a standard chow (SC) or high-fat (HF) diet 1 week following mating. Pups were weighed daily from birth to Day 12, then animals were placed into specialized cages for separate recording of food intake of pups and dams. Pups were offered the same diet as their dam, and food intake and body weight were determined twice daily until Day 25. The results demonstrated that pups reared by dams fed the HF diet initiated independent ingestion on Day 16, approximately 24 hr before pups reared by dams fed the SC diet. There were no differences in body weight in pups across the two diets. While few differences were noted across diets in pups' or dams' behavior, HF pups appeared to demonstrate a delay in the establishment of circadian patterns of food intake. In Experiment 2, all dams were maintained on an SC diet until the day after parturition. At that time, dams and litters were placed into specialized cages and divided into four groups: HF/HF, HF/SC, SC/SC, and SC/HF (dam's diet/pup's diet, respectively). The results demonstrated that dams given the HF diet had pups that initiated food intake approximately 2 days before the pups of dams given the SC diet. In addition, pups offered the HF diet, independent of the dam's diet, initiated food intake approximately 0.8 days prior to pups offered the SC diet. Further, by Day 12, HF dams had pups that were heavier than SC dams. The results suggest that the onset of weaning in rats is affected by maternal diet and the weaning diet available to the pup.     

Maternal stress and high-fat diet effect on maternal behavior, milk composition, and pup ingestive behavior

Chronic variable prenatal stress or maternal high-fat diet results in offspring that are significantly heavier by the end of the first postnatal week with increased adiposity by weaning. It is unclear, however, what role maternal care and diet play in the ontogenesis of this phenotype and what contributions come from differences already established in the rat pups. In the present studies, we examined maternal behavior and milk composition as well as offspring ingestive behavior. Our aim was to better understand the development of the obese phenotype in offspring from dams subjected to prenatal stress and/or fed a high-fat (HF) diet during gestation and lactation. We found that dams maintained on a HF diet through gestation and lactation spent significantly more time nursing their pups during the first postnatal week. In addition, offspring of prenatal stress dams consumed more milk at postnatal day (PND) 3 and offspring of HF dams consume more milk on PND 7 in an independent ingestion test. Milk from HF dams showed a significant increase in fat content from PND 10-21. Together these results suggest that gestational dietary or stress manipulations can alter the rat offspring's developmental environment, evidence of which is apparent by PND 3. Alterations in maternal care, milk composition, and pup consumption during the early postnatal period may contribute to long-term changes in body weight and adiposity induced by maternal prenatal stress or high-fat diet.     

Independent effects of diet palatability and fat content on bout size and daily intake in rats

Although considerable evidence attests to the hyperphagic effects of high-fat (HF) diets, the attribute(s) of these diets (e.g., palatability, caloric density, and postingestive effects) which promote overeating is still unclear. The present studies investigated the independent effects of diet palatability and macronutrient composition on intake using the self-regulated intragastric infusion paradigm. In Experiment 1, rats were infused with either HF or high-carbohydrate (HC) diet while drinking either saccharin (Sacc) or a more palatable saccharin-glucose (SaccGlu) test solution for 9 days. HF elicited greater daily intake than HC; lick pattern analysis revealed that HF produced larger but not more frequent bouts. Test solution was not related to intake, possibly due to the relatively modest palatability manipulation. Experiment 2 provided a more sensitive test: The palatability manipulation was strengthened and diet infusion made optional by provision of chow. HF again elicited larger bout size and total daily intake (diet+chow) than HC. Rats given the more palatable solution significantly increased intake (via larger bouts) and thus the amount of diet infused, but chow intake decreased such that total kilocalorie intake was not significantly related to solution palatability. The reliable observation that HF promoted larger bout size and greater total kilocalorie intake than HC provides additional evidence that fat sends weaker feedback signals relevant to controls of both satiation (suppression of ongoing eating, behaviorally manifest in meal size) and satiety (suppression of subsequent intake, reflected in total daily intake).     

小檗碱改善高脂饮食大鼠的胰岛素抵抗

目的:观察小檗碱是否能改善高脂饮食诱导的胰岛素抵抗,以探讨小檗碱干预糖耐量受损(IGT)的可能性。方法:8周龄雄性SD大鼠29只,分为正常组(NC,n=9)和高脂组(HF,n=20)。高脂饲料喂养14周后高脂组分为二组,10只大鼠继续喂养高脂饮食,另一小檗碱组(HF B,n=10)每天灌胃小檗碱150mg/kg体重,治疗6周后进行口服葡萄糖耐量试验和胰岛素耐量试验(ITT),评估小檗碱对胰岛素敏感性的影响。结果:HF组大鼠体重、肝重和附睾脂肪重量均明显高于HF B和NC组(均P<0.01),HF B组空腹血糖和葡萄糖负荷后2h血糖明显低于HF组(分别为5.70±0.52mmol/Lvs6.66±0.51mmol/L和7.88±0.46mmol/Lvs8.85±1.01mmol/L),空腹和葡萄糖负荷后2h胰岛素HF B组也显著低于HF组(分别为0.63±0.25ng/mlvs1.64±0.68ng/ml和1.20±0.21ng/mlvs3.60±0.36ng/ml)。各时间点血糖和胰岛素HF组均显著高于NC组(均P<0.01)。Homa胰岛素抵抗指数HF组明显高于HF B组(P<0.01)。ITT腹腔注射胰岛素后各时间点血糖下降幅度HF B组均高于HF组,15min时HF B组血糖下降23%,而HF组仅下降7%。结论:长期高脂饮食可导致大鼠胰岛素抵抗,小檗碱明显降低高脂大鼠的高胰岛素血症,改善胰岛素抵抗,因此适合于IGT的干预。     

Differential effects of chow and purified diet on the consumption of sucrose solution and lard and the development of obesity

Obesity has been associated with increased consumption of sweetened beverages and a high-fat diet. We determined whether the composition of the dry pellet offered with liquid sucrose (LS) and lard influenced the development of obesity. We hypothesized that animals offered LS or LS and lard (choice), in addition to chow or purified low fat diet pellet (LFD; 10% fat), would gain more body fat than controls. We compared the effects of LFD vs. chow on voluntary consumption of LS and lard, serum triglyceride (TG), glucose, and body fat over 21 days. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=10/group) were offered chow, chow+LS, chow choice, LFD, LFD+LS, LFD choice or solid high-sucrose diet (70% sucrose). Energy intakes of rats fed chow, LFD, and high-sucrose diets were similar. Energy intake was increased by 16% in chow+LS, 15% in LFD+LS, 11% in LFD choice, and 23% in chow choice rats. Chow choice rats consumed 142% more lard than LFD choice rats. Fasting glucose increased in all choice rats compared with the chow and high-sucrose diet rats. Fasting TG increased in LFD choice rats and were ~75% higher than those of chow, LFD, or high-sucrose rats. Chow choice had higher carcass fat than chow, chow+LS, and LFD groups however LFD choice was not different from their controls. Another experiment confirmed rats consumed 158% more lard when given chow choice compared to LFD choice. The diet offered to rats with free access to LS and lard influenced the development of obesity, sucrose and lard selection, and TG.     

Diets rich in saturated fat and fructose induce anxiety and depression‐like behaviours in the rat: is there a role for lipid peroxidation?

Epidemiological studies reveal associations between obesity/metabolic syndrome and mood disorders. We assessed behavioural changes in rats fed diets enriched in fat and fructose in different proportions and correlated the observed alterations with biochemical changes induced by the diets. Three groups of rats were used as follows: control (C) animals fed regular rat chow, rats fed high‐fat diet (HF) and rats fed high‐fat and high‐fructose diet (HFHF). HF and HFHF animals were also given a 10% fructose solution as drinking water. Behavioural and biochemical parameters were determined. Anxiety was measured by the open‐field and the social interaction test. Depression‐like behaviour was evaluated by the forced swimming test. The object recognition test was utilized to assess effects on memory. Diet‐exposed animals displayed signs of anxiety in the open‐field (HF rats had reduced central time; HFHF rats had reduced number of central entries) and in the social interaction test (decreased time of interaction in HF group). In the forced swimming test, the immobility time was prolonged in the HFHF group. While different measures of anxiety scores correlated with visceral adiposity and dyslipidemia, results from both social interaction and forced swimming tests were significantly associated with lipid peroxidation, which in turn also correlated with the metabolic parameters. The experimental diets did not affect the object recognition memory. Both experimental diets induced metabolic derangements in rats and provoked similar anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviours. Lipid peroxidation seems to play a role in translating diet‐induced metabolic alterations into behavioural disorders.     

A maternal low protein diet during pregnancy and lactation in the rat impairs male reproductive development

Nutrient restriction during pregnancy and lactation impairs growth and development. Recent studies demonstrate long-term programming of function of specific organ systems resulting from suboptimal environments during fetal life and development up to weaning. We determined effects of maternal protein restriction (50% control protein intake) during fetal development and/or lactation in rats on the reproductive system of male progeny. Rats were fed either a control 20% casein diet (C) or a restricted diet (R) of 10% casein during pregnancy. After delivery mothers received either C or R diet until weaning to provide four groups: CC, RR, CR and RC. We report findings in male offspring only. Maternal protein restriction increased maternal serum corticosterone, oestradiol and testosterone (T) concentrations at 19 days gestation. Pup birth weight was unchanged but ano-genital distance was increased by maternal protein restriction ( P < 0.05). Testicular descent was delayed 4.4 days in RR, 2.1 days in CR and 2.2 days in RC and was not related to body weight. Body weight and testis weight were reduced in RR and CR groups at all ages with the exception of CR testis weight at 270 days postnatal age (PN). At 70 days PN luteinizing hormone and T concentrations were reduced in RR, CR and RC. mRNA for P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) was reduced in RR and CR at 21 days PN but was unchanged at 70 days PN. Fertility rate was reduced at 270 days PN in RC and sperm count in RR and RC. We conclude that maternal protein delays sexual maturation in male rats and that some effects only emerge in later life.     

限食对高脂喂养大鼠肝脏内质网应激的影响

目的：观察限食对高脂喂养大鼠肝脏内质网应激标志伴侣蛋白78 kD糖调节蛋白（GRP78）mRNA表达的影响，以进一步了解饮食控制对肥胖及胰岛素抵抗影响的机制。方法：雄性Wistar大鼠24只，随机分为正常对照组（NC）、高脂饮食组（HF）、热卡限制组（CR），每组8只。NC组和HF组分别给予普通饲料（脂肪热卡比18.94%）和高脂饲料（脂肪热卡比50.55%）喂养12周，自由进食。CR组给予自由高脂饲料8周后，改为半量正常饲料（半量为同龄对照组自由进食量的一半）继续喂养4周。造模结束后检测动物胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMAIR）、内脏脂肪重量/体重比值和血清生化指标变化，光镜和电镜下观察大鼠肝脏组织学改变，RT-PCR半定量检测大鼠肝脏GRP78 mRNA的表达。结果：（1）HF组空腹血胰岛素(FIns) (27.51±3.51) mU/L vs (15.46±2.25) mU/L、甘油三酯（TG）(1.35±0.25) mmol/L vs (0.67±0.10) mmol/L、胆固醇（TC）(2.59±0.34) mmol/L vs (1.41±0.28) mmol/L及胰岛素抵抗指数HOMAIR(5.85±0.23) vs (2.85±0.60)较NC组明显升高(P＜0.01)，且肝脏中脂质沉积明显。（2）限食4周后，CR组的Fins(11.25±2.42) mU/L vs (27.51±3.51) mU/L、TG(0.45±0.06) mmol/L vs (1.35±0.25) mmol/L、TC(1.06±0.15) mmol/L vs (2.59±0.34) mmol/L和HOMAIR(1.91±0.38) vs (5.85±0.23)明显低于HF组(P＜0.01)，同时肝脏中脂质沉积也减轻。（3）电镜下，HF组内质网肿胀断裂，核糖体脱落，糖原溶解，CR组则基本恢复正常。（4）HF组大鼠肝脏中GRP78 mRNA表达明显高于NC组（29.36±3.54 vs 16.51±1.73），而CR组则明显低于HF组（13.70±2.35 vs 29.36±3.54）。结论：合理限制饮食能有效减轻高脂喂养所致的脂质代谢紊乱和胰岛素抵抗，其作用机制至少与肝脏组织中的内质网应激相关蛋白GRP78的mRNA表达受抑有关。     

Energy density and macronutrient composition determine flavor preference conditioned by intragastric infusions of mixed diets

In prior studies rats preferred a flavor (CS+HF) paired with intragastric (IG) infusions of a high-fat diet to a flavor (CS+HC) paired with a high-carbohydrate diet, yet just the opposite preference was observed with pure-nutrient infusions. The present study tested the hypothesis that variations in nutrient density as well as composition influence flavor learning. Animals were trained (22 h/day) with IG infusion of milk-based high-fat and high-carbohydrate liquid diets paired with intakes of flavored, noncaloric CS+ solutions. A third flavor, the CS-, was paired with water infusion. Standard chow was available ad libitum. The rats preferred both CS+ flavors to the CS-, whether the infused diets were dense (HF and HC, 2.1 kcal/ml) or dilute (hf and hc, 0.5 kcal/ml), indicating that all diet infusions were reinforcing. They consumed the CS+hc and CS+hf equally in training, and preferred the CS+hc, showing that at low-energy density carbohydrate was more reinforcing than fat. In contrast, CS+HF intake exceeded that of CS+HC in training, and the rats preferred the CS+HF to the CS+HC. In further tests the rats preferred the CS+HF to the CS+hc, the CS+HF to the CS+hf, and the CS+HC to the CS+hc; i.e., when the diets differed in energy density the flavors associated with the more concentrated infusions were preferred. In the absence of influence by flavor cues from the nutrients themselves, rats' preferences for flavors associated with diets high in fat or carbohydrate are dependent on energy density. The differential satiating effects of fat and carbohydrate may contribute to these density-dependent preferences.