AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 255, Issue 1 141-R148, Copyright © 1988 by American Physiological Society
Energy balance in adrenalectomized ob/ob mice: effects of dietary starch and glucose
B. P. Warwick and D. R. Romsos
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1224.
Effects of different carbohydrate types on energy balance, fatty acid
synthesis, and plasma insulin concentrations in adrenalectomized ob/ob mice
were investigated. Obese (ob/ob) and lean mice adrenalectomized at 4 wk of
age received one of four high-carbohydrate powdered diets for 3 wk: stock,
glucose, starch, or starch plus wheat bran. Adrenalectomy reduced energy
intake of ob/ob mice equally independent of diet type, whereas energetic
efficiency, in vivo rates of fatty acid synthesis in liver and white
adipose tissue, and plasma insulin concentrations were substantially
reduced to approach values in lean mice in all adrenalectomized ob/ob mice
except those fed glucose. The ability of adrenalectomy to normalize energy
balance in ob/ob mice depends on factors other than the reduced circulating
concentration of glucocorticoids alone. Diet composition is a crucial
factor, and striking differences exist between semipurified diets
containing a simple sugar (glucose) and those containing a complex
carbohydrate (starch), with no additional effect of dietary fiber (wheat
bran).
