Chronic Application of MTII in a Rat Model of Obesity Results in Sustained Weight Loss

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2002-03, Vol.10 (3), p.182-187
• Main Authors: Hamilton, Bradford S., Doods, Henri N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alpha-MSH - analogs & derivatives; alpha-MSH - pharmacology; Animals; Blood Glucose - analysis; Calorimetry, Indirect; diet‐induced obesity; Disease Models, Animal; Eating - drug effects; energy expenditure; Female; Insulin - blood; Leptin - blood; Male; melanocortin agonist; Obesity - drug therapy; Obesity - metabolism; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; pharmacotherapy; Rats; Triglycerides - blood; Weight Loss - drug effects
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1071-7323; 1930-739X; 1550-8528
• DOI: 10.1038/oby.2002.28

Objective: To examine the effects of a cafeteria diet and a chronic treatment with melanocortin agonist (MTII) on mature weight‐stable female rats. Research Methods and Procedures: Ex‐breeder Chbb:Thom rats (350 to 400 g) were divided into two groups: highly palatable food (HPF) and normal rat chow (RC). Both groups had ab libitum access to rat chow. The HPF group had access to chocolate bars, cookies, cheese, and nuts (∼20 g/d). After 21 days, the rats in each group were then divided into control and treated groups. Mini‐pumps delivering saline or MTII (1 mg/kg per day) for minimally 28 days were implanted. Oxygen consumption was measured for 17 days in a second group of rats implanted with mini‐pumps containing MTII (1 mg/kg per day) or saline. Results: HPF rats ate less (