Effect of sibutramine on regional fat pads and leptin levels in rats fed with three isocaloric diets.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the differential effect of the three main macronutrients on food intake, fat depots and serum leptin levels and b) the impact of sibutramine on the above parameters in rats fed ad libitum with three isocaloric diets.


METHODS
Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 63) were fed with a high fat diet (HFD), a high carbohydrate diet (HCD) or a high protein diet (HPD) for 13 weeks. In the last three weeks, each group was divided into three subgroups and received sibutramine (S) either at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, or vehicle. Food intake was measured daily during the last week of the experiment; perirenal and epididymal fat and fat/lean ratio were calculated and serum leptin was assayed.


RESULTS
HFD-fed rats demonstrated elevated food intake and higher regional fat depots. S at 10 mg/kg decreased food intake in the HFD and epididymal fat in the HCD group. S also reduced perirenal fat in the HCD and HPD groups. Leptin levels were higher in rats fed with either the HFD or the HPD compared to those fed with the HCD. Moreover, S at 10 mg/kg decreased serum leptin levels in the HPD group.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest a preferential effect of S on perirenal visceral fat and support the view that body fat loss is greater when its administration is accompanied by a HCD diet. No effect of S on leptin levels was found, besides that expected as a result of the decrease in body fat.
Stroubini
Theodora
T
Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece.
Perrea
Despoina
D
Perelas
Apostolos
A
Liapi
Charis
C
Dontas
Ismini
I
Trapali
Maria
M
Katsilambros
Nikolaos
N
Galanopoulou
Panagiota
P
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D001067:Appetite Depressants; D003503:Cyclobutanes; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D020738:Leptin; C058254:sibutramine