AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 260, Issue 3 468-R474, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society
New adipocyte formation in mice during refeeding after long-term deprivation
M. Ochi, H. Yoshioka, T. Sawada, T. Kusunoki and T. Hattori
Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Cell kinetic characteristics of the epididymal adipose tissue of mice were
examined during refeeding after prolonged food deprivation. Mature mice
were given a glucose-electrolyte solution for 20-40 days, and subsequent to
a body weight loss of 35%, they were given normal mouse food ad libitum.
After refeeding, their body weight and adipose tissue weight returned to
the levels before the deprivation. We examined the formation of new
adipocytes in the epididymal adipose tissue with [3H]thymidine
autoradiography. Flash labeling experiments revealed that cell
proliferation was most active on the 6th day after refeeding and decreased
thereafter until the 13th day when few labeled cells were seen. Cumulative
labeling experiments showed that replicated poorly differentiated
mesenchymal cells developed into adipocytes by storing fat droplets. New
adipocyte formation was observed in adult mice during refeeding after
long-term deprivation.
