Chronic administration of OB protein decreases food intake by selectively reducing meal size in female rats.
The mechanisms by which OB protein controls food intake and energy balance are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a novel modified human recombinant OB protein (Mod-OB) on spontaneous feeding patterns, body weight, running wheel activity, and ovarian cycling in female rats. Mod-OB or vehicle was injected (4 mg . kg-1 . day-1 sc) for 2 ovarian cycles (8 days) using a within-subjects design. Observations were continued for five ovarian cycles after injections; treatments were then reversed. Mod-OB reduced food intake approximately 20% from injection day 1 to postinjection day 2. Body weight was reduced from injection day 3 to postinjection day 15 (maximum decrease, 25 +/- 4 g, postinjection days 3 and 4). Food intake was reduced due to decreases in nocturnal meal size, which appeared to be superimposed on the normal pattern of spontaneous feeding (i.e., reductions in meal size at estrus). Mod-OB did not significantly affect diurnal food intake or meal patterns, failed to alter wheel running, and did not disrupt the rats' ovarian cycles. We conclude that chronically administered Mod-OB reduces food intake in female rats by selectively affecting the mechanisms controlling meal size.
E. W. Bourne Laboratory, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, White Plains, New York 10605, USA.
L A
LA
Eckel
W
W
Langhans
A
A
Kahler
L A
LA
Campfield
F J
FJ
Smith
N
N
Geary
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects*; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D020738:Leptin; D009765:Obesity; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins