Leptin contributes to slower weight gain in juvenile rodents on a ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet (KD) is an efficacious therapy for medically refractory childhood epilepsy that also slows weight gain. We tested the hypothesis that the KD slows weight gain via neurohormones involved in energy homeostasis. We found that juvenile rodents fed a KD had slower weight gain than those fed a standard diet (SD). Rats fed a KD had higher serum leptin levels and lower insulin levels compared with those fed an SD. We investigated the increase in leptin further because this change was the only one consistent with slower weight gain. Although rats fed the SD experienced slower weight gain when calorie restricted, they had serum leptin levels similar to those fed the SD ad libitum. Furthermore, leptin deficient (ob/ob) and leptin receptor deficient (db/db) mice did not show slower weight gain on the KD. All animals on the KD had elevated serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (betaHB) levels. Thus, ketosis is insufficient and a functioning leptin signaling system appears necessary for the KD to slow weight gain. The increase in leptin may contribute to the anticonvulsant effects of the KD.
Thio
Liu Lin
LL
Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. thiol@neuro.wustl.edu
Erbayat-Altay
Ebru
E
Rensing
Nicholas
N
Yamada
Kelvin A
KA
D000818:Animals; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004032:Diet; D007659:Ketones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007662:Ketosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008820:Mice, Obese; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D007659:Ketones; D020738:Leptin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; C515447:leptin receptor, mouse