title: Effects of very-low-carbohydrate (horsemeat- or beef-based) diets and restricted feeding on weight gain, feed and energy efficiency, as well as serum levels of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, insulin and ketone bodies in adult rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The beneficial or harmful effect of the low-carbohydrate (low-carb), high-protein, high-fat diet (Atkins diet) has not been clearly demonstrated. We determined the effect of a low-carb diet and restricted feeding (70% ad libitum intake) on serum levels of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, ketone bodies and insulin in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In experiment 1, each of 4 groups with 10 adult rats was assigned to a high-carb diet (AIN-93G) + ad libitum intake or restricted feeding, or a low-carb diet (53% horsemeat) + ad libitum intake or restricted feeding (2 x 2 factorial). In experiment 2, each of 3 groups with 10 adult rats was assigned to a control (AIN-93G) or low-carb diets (53% beef or horsemeat).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Restricted feeding and the low-carb diet reduced (p<0.01) serum triacylglycerol compared with ad libitum intake and the AIN-93G diet, respectively (experiment 1). The dietary effect on serum total cholesterol, high-density or low-density lipid cholesterol appeared to be inconsistent, but restricted feeding increased the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The serum ketone body level was increased by the low-carb diet compared with AIN-93G (experiment 2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Restricted feeding and a low-carb diet are beneficial for alleviating cardiovascular disease risk factors, and their effects are additive, restricted feeding being more pronounced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Cheju National University, Jeju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Choong-Nam
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chong-Eon
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyu-Il
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D007657:Ketone Bodies; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol