Open Access

ARTICLE

Effect of sibutramine on regional fat pads and leptin levels in rats fed with three isocaloric diets

Theodora Stroubini¹, Despoina Perrea², Apostolos Perelas¹, Charis Liapi¹, Ismini Dontas², Maria Trapali¹, Nikolaos Katsilambros², Panagiota Galanopoulou¹

1 Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
2 Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N. S. Christeas, Medical School of Athens, University of Athens, Greece

* Corresponding Author: P. Galanopoulou,

European Cytokine Network 2008, 19(3), 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1684/ecn.2008.0130

Accepted 09 July 2008;

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the differential effect of the three main macronu-trients 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.

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Keywords

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