Effect of small litter size on the autonomic and metabolic responses of Wistar rats
Keywords:
Blood glucose, Insulin, Obesity, Autonomic nervous systemAbstract
Objective
This study investigated the lipid profile and electric activity of the parasympathetic (vagus nerve) and sympathetic (located in the splanchnic region) nerves of obese rats from small litters.
Methods
Two distinct groups were studied, each with 12 animals: normal litter with nine pups per litter and small litter, with three pups per litter. Chow intake and body weight were monitored from weaning until the end of the experimental protocol. At age 90 days, the animals were anesthetized with Thiopental® for investigation of the electric activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. They were then sacrificed for removal and weighing of the retroperitoneal and epididymal fat pads. Blood samples were collected for determination of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Results
The small litters rats had high food intake, body weight, white fat tissue, blood glucose, blood insulin, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
The vagus nerve of the small litters rats was significantly more active than that of the normal litter rats. Sympathetic activity did not differ between the groups but the small litters model effectively promoted obesity, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and autonomic imbalance in rats.
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Copyright (c) 2023 Wilson RINALDI, Tatiane Aparecida da Silva RIBEIRO, Angélica Sbrolini MARQUES, Gabriel Sérgio FABRICIO, Laize Peron TÓFOLO, Rodrigo Mello GOMES, Fagner Cordeiro Vilar MENDES, Paulo Cezar de Freitas MATHIAS
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