[Changes of neuropeptide Y and leptin levels in rat fed with medium-chain triacylglycerides].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) on adiposity and the modulation of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin in Wistar rats.


METHODS
20 Wistar male rats were fed with diets containing 30% MCT or long chain triglycerides (LCT) for 8 weeks. Serum and hypothalamus leptin were detected by ELISA. RT-PCR was used to quantitatively compare the mRNA levels of recetpor of leptin (Ob-Rb) and NPY. The levels of serum and hypothalamic NPY were assessed by radioimmune assay.


RESULTS
Body weight gains and body fat accumulations of rats fed with the MCT diets were more less than those of rats fed with the LCT diets (P < 0.01). Hypothalamus and serum NPY concentrations in rats fed with the MCT diets were more lower than those in rats fed with LCT diets (P < 0.01). Rats fed with MCT diets had significantly higher ratios of hypothalamus/serum leptin in comparition with rats fed with LCT diets. The Ob-Rb mRNA levels in the hypothalamus in the rats fed with the MCT diets were more higher than in those of rats fed with the LCT diets (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in NPY expressions between the rats fed with the LCT diets and rats fed with MCT diets.


CONCLUSIONS
The MCT diet could decrease rats body weight gain by increasing Ob-Rb expression in hypothalamus and decreasing NPY level.
Geng
Shanshan
S
School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China. gss9814@126.com
Cai
Donglian
D
Qu
Dan
D
He
Fang
F
Lin
Ning
N
D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D020738:Leptin; D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D014280:Triglycerides