EFFECT OF THE SLIMMING AGENT OLEOYL-ESTRONE IN LIPOSOMES ON THE BODY-WEIGHT OF RATS FED A CAFETERIA DIET

Weaned lean Zucker rats, 21-days old, were fed a cafeteria diet for 70 days. The cafeteria diet-obese rats were infused for 28 days (using m iniosmotic pumps) with oleoyl-estrone in liposomes (Merlin-2) at a dos e of 3.5 mmol/day kg. Treatment resulted in loss of body weight: 11.6% (32 g), mainly due to fat: 20.0% (8.8 g), protein 5.2% (2.0 g) and wa ter pre venting further increases in body weight and fat storage. Untr eated rats increased their body weight: 7.6% (20 g), lipid: 10.5% (4.2 g) and protein: 13.2% (4.8 g). Plasma glucose, urea, triacylglycerols and cholesterol practically did nor change with treatment. Merlin-2 d ecreased energy intake (to 83.7%) and energy output (to 87.7%, oxygen consumption). Decreases in nitrogen intake were partly compensated by higher digestive efficiency in treated rats. The size of the nitrogen gap was higher in treated rats than in controls. Essentially protein b alance was maintained and slimming was achieved with a minimal loss of body protein. Treated rats selected less carbohydrate, in particular sugars, in their diet than controls, but consumed practically the same protein and lipid. Treatment of cafeteria diet-fed rats with oleoyl-e strone in liposomes results in sustained loss of body weight-mainly li pid-for up to 28 days. Nitrogen balance is maintained overall. This is achieved through lower food intake-mainly of sugars-and less marked c hanges in energy output.