Effects of obesity on lipid profiles in neutered male and female cats.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether obese cats, compared with lean cats, have alterations in lipoprotein metabolism that might lead to a decrease in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.


METHODS
10 lean and 10 obese adults cats (5 neutered males and 5 neutered females each).


METHODS
Intravenous glucose tolerance tests with measurements of serum glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were performed. Lipoprotein fractions were examined in serum by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation.


RESULTS
Obese cats had insulin resistance. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations were increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats; however, the composition of various fractions remained unchanged between obese and lean cats, indicating greater synthesis and catabolism of VLDL in obese cats. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats. Serum NEFA concentrations were only significantly different between obese and lean cats when separated by sex; obese male cats had higher baseline serum NEFA concentrations and greater NEFA suppression in response to insulin, compared with lean male cats.


CONCLUSIONS
Lipid metabolism changes in obese cats, compared with lean cats. The increase in VLDL turnover in obese cats might contribute to insulin resistance of glucose metabolism, whereas the increase in serum HDL cholesterol concentration might reflect a protective effect against atherosclerosis in obese cats.
Hoenig
Margarethe
M
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
Wilkins
Caroline
C
Holson
Jennifer C
JC
Ferguson
Duncan C
DC
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000662:veterinary*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013851:Thinness / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008055:Lipids; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL