Modification of glucocorticoid effects on body weight gain, plasma lipids by changes in diet composition

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2003-08, Vol.23 (8), p.1105-1115
• Main Authors: Bouclaous, Carmel, Torbay, Naji, Nassar, Camille, Hwalla (Baba), Nahla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Glucocorticoids; Intestinal absorption; Pair feeding; Weight gain
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(03)00104-0

The effects of macronutrient composition of the diet and glucocorticoid administration on weight gain, intestinal absorption and plasma lipids were investigated. Thirty seven male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, implanted with pellets continuously delivering either prednisolone (0.25mg/day) or placebo and fed two isocaloric diets providing either high fat (HF: 50% of energy) or high carbohydrate (HC: 70% of energy). The four groups [group I (HC, placebo), group II (HC, prednisolone), group III (HF, placebo), group IV (HF, prednisolone)] were pair fed and given the mean amount of food eaten by the group with the least amount of energy intake on the previous day. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. All groups showed a decrease in relative intestinal absorption with time. Prednisolone-treated groups revealed significantly lower intestinal absorption. However, prednisolone-treated high-carbohydrate (HC) fed rats showed significantly higher weight gain, concomitant with a significant increase in feed efficiency. The HC diet induced a statistically significant increase in TG concentration. The results show that prednisolone treatment induces more weight gain on a HC as compared to a high fat (HF) diet possibly through a rise in feed efficiency.