Physiological, histological, anatomical and biochemical effects of a 2-months marked carbohydrate deprivation dietary program in obese male albino rats

Marked-carbohydrate deprivation diets are commonly used for weight loss based on the belief that carbohydrates cause weight gain.

This work aimed to study the effect of marked carbohydrate deprivation (for two months) on the body weight, body mass index, protein, fat metabolism and insulin and leptin levels, and to clarify the mechanism by which marked carbohydrate deprivation can cause reduction of body weight and to clear possible side effects for this type of food regimen used increasingly to reduce weight.

Twenty obese male albino rats were included in this study. All rats were chosen obese and were fed for one month each on 150 grams normal chow containing high carbohydrates, proteins and fats to make this content their normal daily intake and assure obesity

Rats were divided into two groups. The first group was the control group. It contained ten rats, and they were fed on (half the daily regular intake) 75 grams normal chow containing carbohydrates, proteins and fats for two months. The second group contained ten rats and they were fed on 150 grams of food containing proteins and fats with minimal carbohydrates for two months. Rat groups were weighed and body mass index was calculated at the beginning and end of the study. Insulin, leptin levels and pH of blood were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Change in values in weight, BMI, pH of blood, insulin, and leptin levels were compared at the beginning of the study and at its end. Rate of change for all parameters in group two was compared to that of group one.

There were significant decrease in weight, and BMI, in both groups at end of the study compared to the results obtained at the beginning. The rate of change decreased more significantly for the previously mentioned parameters in group two compared to group one.

There were significant increase in insulin level in group one at end of the study compared to its level at the beginning of the study. While there were significant decrease in the insulin level in group two at end of the study compared to the level recorded at the beginning. There were significant decrease in the rate of change for the insulin in group two compared to that for group one at end of the study.

Non-significant change in the pH at the end of the study was recorded in both groups compared to the results obtained at the beginning, The rate of change for pH in group two showed significant decrease compared to that of group one at end of the study.

 

Leptin level showed non-significant decrease at the end of the study in group one compared to the results at the beginning. While it showed significant increase in group two at end of the study compared to the results obtained at the beginning. There was significant increase in the rate of change for leptin in group two compared to that in group one at end of the study.