Effects of Very-Low-Carbohydrate (Horsemeat- or Beef-Based) Diets and Restricted Feeding on Weight Gain, Feed and Energy Efficiency, as well as Serum Levels of Cholesterol, Triacylglycerol, Glucose, Insulin and Ketone Bodies in Adult Rats

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2008-01, Vol.53 (3-4), p.260-267
• Main Authors: Kim, Jae-Youn, Yang, Young-Hoon, Kim, Choong-Nam, Lee, Chong-Eon, Kim, Kyu-Il
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal models; animal-based foods; Animals; beef; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - metabolism; blood lipids; blood serum; body fat distribution; Carbohydrates; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cholesterol; Cholesterol - blood; Diet; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Effects; energy balance; Energy efficiency; Energy Metabolism - physiology; feed conversion; feed intake; Feeding; Health risks; high density lipoprotein; high fat diet; high protein diet; horse meat; Insulin; Insulin - blood; ketone bodies; Ketone Bodies - blood; Ketones; low density lipoprotein; Male; Oils & fats; Original Paper; Proteins; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; restricted feeding; Risk Factors; triacylglycerols; Triglycerides - blood; very low calorie diet; weight gain; Weight Gain - physiology
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000189129

Background/Aims: The beneficial or harmful effect of the low-carbohydrate (low-carb), high-protein, high-fat diet (Atkins diet) has not been clearly demonstrated. We determined the effect of a low-carb diet and restricted feeding (70% ad libitum intake) on serum levels of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, ketone bodies and insulin in rats. Methods: In experiment 1, each of 4 groups with 10 adult rats was assigned to a high-carb diet (AIN-93G) + ad libitum intake or restricted feeding, or a low-carb diet (53% horsemeat) + ad libitum intake or restricted feeding (2 x 2 factorial). In experiment 2, each of 3 groups with 10 adult rats was assigned to a control (AIN-93G) or low-carb diets (53% beef or horsemeat). Results: Restricted feeding and the low-carb diet reduced (p < 0.01) serum triacylglycerol compared with ad libitum intake and the AIN-93G diet, respectively (experiment 1). The dietary effect on serum total cholesterol, high-density or low-density lipid cholesterol appeared to be inconsistent, but restricted feeding increased the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. The serum ketone body level was increased by the low-carb diet compared with AIN-93G (experiment 2). Conclusion: Restricted feeding and a low-carb diet are beneficial for alleviating cardiovascular disease risk factors, and their effects are additive, restricted feeding being more pronounced.