Reduced fat deposition in female guinea pigs fed an atherogenic diet

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 389 - 399
• Main Authors: Hoover-Plow, Jane L., Ellis, Jill R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.1995; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adipose cellularity; Atherogenic diet; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Body fat; Cardiology. Vascular system; Guinea pigs; Medical sciences; Adipose cellularity; Body fat; Atherogenic diet; Guinea pigs; Adipose tissue; Pathophysiology; Pathogenesis; Liver; Rodentia; Cardiovascular disease; Lipids; Histology; Supplemented diet; Metabolism; Body composition; Feeding; Vascular disease; Vertebrata; Experimental disease; Mammalia; Guinea pig; Animal; Atherosclerosis; Metabolic storage
• DOI: 10.1016/0271-5317(95)00007-0
• ISSN: 0271-5317

In guinea pigs fed atherogenic diets lipid metabolism is altered and atherosclerosis develops. The purpose of this study was to examine adipose fat storage in female Hartley guinea pigs fed for six weeks either a control (CON) or atherogenic (ATH) diet. Growth, body weight gain, and food intake (kcal/day) were not significantly different in the two groups. Total body fat was significantly higher in the CON (14.4±0.4 %) than for the ATH fed group (11.6±0.7 %). Three adipose depots were examined: inguinal, parametrial, and retroperitoneal. The sum of three depots was significantly smaller in the ATH (4.1 ± 0.1 g, mean ± SEM) group compared to the CON (6.7 ± 1.0 g) group. Fat cell size was significantly smaller in the inguinal depot from the ATH group compared to the CON group. Livers were twice as large in the ATH group compared to the CON group, and contained 6-fold more total lipid. Total plasma cholesterol increased nearly four fold during the first week of dietary treatment in the ATH group. Plasma triglyceride values were similar during the six weeks in the two groups. Thus, adipose fat deposition was reduced, and fat accumulated in the liver of the ATH diet fed group. These results suggest the ATH fed guinea pigs had a reduced ability to transport fat from the liver to adipose tissue or an enhanced ability to transport lipid from adipose tissue to the liver.