G-09
Psammomys obesus (Fat Sand Rat) as a Model of Nutritionally Induced "Diabesity": Understanding Food Consumption, Composition and Behavior
A. A. Cotterell1 , J. C. Anglin2 , V. M. Chenault1 , 1FDA, 2Howard University
The prevalence of obesity has increased over the past few decades and is one of the leading public health issues in the U.S.. Obesity is associated with a number of adverse medical conditions - diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, arthritis and pulmonary dysfunction. Diabetes is also associated with a number of degenerating and life threatening diseases such blindness, kidney and heart disease. Medical problems, previously associated with adulthood, are more prevalent in children. Overweight adolescents have an increased risk of becoming obese adults, which increases the risk for chronic diseases. The sand rat is an excellent model for the study of nutritionally induced diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity. These rodents eat a low calorie, high fiber, electrolyte rich plant (saltbush) in the wild. In captivity, when fed standard rat chow, obesity results with all the concomitant complications. Understanding the consumption and composition of rodent chows in an animal model of "diabesity" will help us understand obesity and glucose homeostasis in humans. This study consists of the commercial development and evaluation of a high fiber/low energy diet based on a "saltbush comparable" formulation and a second diet at least 5% higher in fiber and 2% lower in protein. It was proposed that these diets were healthier. Body weight, food intake, behavior, blood parameters and clinical symptoms were compared and contrasted. The results were surprising in that Test Diet 1 was not well tolerated and Test Diet 2 produced some changes in glucose homeostasis. Additional analyses are underway to elucidate the results obtained.
2004 FDA Science Forum | FDA Chapter, Sigma Xi | CFSAN | FDA
Last updated on 2004-APR-02 by frf