Low-carbohydrate diet used for weight loss induces obesity in rats

Authors

  • Alberto José de BORBA Universidade de Uberaba, Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação.
  • Márcia Gabriela Margato ROCHA Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas.
  • Marcelo Fernandes da SILVA Universidade de Uberaba, Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação.
  • Denise Teresinha de Sales TIBÚRCIO Universidade de Uberaba, Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação.
  • Sanívia Aparecida de Lima PEREIRA Universidade de Uberaba, Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação.
  • Luiz Carlos dos REIS Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas.
  • Luiz Carlos dos REIS Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas.
  • Geraldo THEDEI JÚNIOR Universidade de Uberaba, Laboratório de Nutrição e Alimentação.

Keywords:

Carbohydrates, Diet, Lipids, Metabolism, Proteins, Rat

Abstract

Objective
This study analyzed the effect of a high fat, high protein and low carbohydrate diet on the body weight, organ weight, food intake and biochemical parameters of rats and the histopathological changes in their livers.
Methods
A total of 24 animals were used, 12 in the control group and 12 in the experimental group, with a mean weight of 160 grams at baseline. Body weight and food intake were collected weekly. At the end of 8 weeks, the animals were killed for the biochemical tests and weighing of organs and the livers were submitted to histopathological analysis.
Results
The animals in the experimental group gained more weight and accumulated more body fat than the animals in the control group. The weight of the liver, kidneys and spleen did not change. The animals fed the low carbohydrate diet consumed more calories during the 8 weeks of the study period. They also developed hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia and presented high high density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum creatinine. The experimental group also presented hepatic steatosis.
Conclusion
The results show that low carbohydrate diets that are rich in fats and proteins may result in harmful metabolic changes in rats.

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Published

2023-09-21

How to Cite

BORBA, A. J. de, ROCHA, M. G. M. ., SILVA, M. F. da ., TIBÚRCIO, D. T. de S., PEREIRA, S. A. de L. ., REIS, L. C. dos ., … THEDEI JÚNIOR, G. . (2023). Low-carbohydrate diet used for weight loss induces obesity in rats. Brazilian Journal of Nutrition, 24(4). Retrieved from https://periodicos.puc-campinas.edu.br/nutricao/article/view/9529

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2011): Revista de Nutrição

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Copyright (c) 2023 Alberto José de BORBA, Márcia Gabriela Margato ROCHA, Marcelo Fernandes da SILVA, Denise Teresinha de Sales TIBÚRCIO, Sanívia Aparecida de Lima PEREIRA, Luiz Carlos dos REIS, Luiz Carlos dos REIS, Geraldo THEDEI JÚNIOR

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