Effects of beacon administration on energy expenditure and substrate utilisation in Psammomys obesus (Israeli sand rats).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether beacon administration affects substrate utilisation, physical activity levels or energy expenditure in Psammomys obesus.


METHODS
Pairs of age- and sex-matched Psammomys obesus were randomly assigned to either beacon-treated (15 microg/day for 7 days (i.c.v.)) or control (i.c.v. saline) groups.


METHODS
Indirect calorimetry on day 0 and day 7 to measure oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, which were used to calculate fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation and total energy expenditure. Physical activity in the calorimeter was measured using an infrared beam system. Food intake and body weight were measured daily.


RESULTS
The administration of beacon significantly increased body weight compared to saline-treated control animals. This body weight gain was primarily due to increased body fat content. Average daily food intake tended to be higher in beacon-treated Psammomys obesus, but no effect of beacon administration on substrate oxidation, activity or energy expenditure was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of beacon on body weight are due to increased food intake, with no detectable effect on nutrient partitioning, physical activity or energy expenditure.
Walder
K
K
Metabolic Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. walder@deakin.edu.au
McMillan
J S
JS
Lee
S
S
Civitarese
A
A
Zimmet
P
P
Collier
G R
GR
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D005849:Gerbillinae; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011897:Random Allocation; D014452:Ubiquitins
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D014452:Ubiquitins; C498170:Ubl5 protein, rat; D002245:Carbon Dioxide