Enhanced energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans with high BMI scores by the ingestion of novel and non-pungent capsaicin analogues (capsinoids)

The biochemical and physiological indices were monitored in 44 subjects after 4-week capsinoids (capsaicin analogues with low pungency) intake. The subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: CSNs3 (3 mg/kg of capsinoids), CSNs10 (10 mg/kg of capsinoids) and the control (placebo). Measurements were performed in the morning on overnight-fasted subjects. The oxygen consumption (VO(2)), resting energy expenditure (REE) and fat oxidation increased slightly compared to pre-administration values without any adverse effects, although the increase was not significant. The increase in fat oxidation was positively and significantly correlated with the body mass index (BMI). A meta-analysis was therefore conducted on a subgroup consisting of subjects with BMI >or= 25 (n=28). As a result, not only VO(2) increased significantly (p<0.05) in the CSNs10 group, but also REE in the CSNs10 group and fat oxidation in the CSNs3 and CSNs10 groups tended to increase (p<0.1). Consequently, a capsinoids intake would be able to enhance the energy expenditure and fat burning in humans, particularly those with high BMI.     

Mild Calorie Restriction Induces Fat Accumulation in Female C57BL/6J Mice

This study investigated the effects of mild calorie restriction (CR) (5%) on body weight, body composition, energy expenditure, feeding behavior, and locomotor activity in female C57BL/6J mice. Mice were subjected to a 5% reduction of food intake relative to baseline intake of ad libitum (AL) mice for 3 or 4 weeks. In experiment 1, body weight was monitored weekly and body composition (fat and lean mass) was determined at weeks 0, 2, and 4 by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. In experiment 2, body weight was measured every 3 days and body composition was determined by quantitative magnetic resonance weekly, and energy expenditure, feeding behavior, and locomotor activity were determined over 3 weeks in a metabolic chamber. At the end of both experiments, CR mice had greater fat mass (P < 0.01) and less lean mass (P < 0.01) compared with AL mice. Total energy expenditure (P < 0.05) and resting energy expenditure (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in CR mice compared with AL mice over 3 weeks. CR mice ate significantly more food than AL mice immediately following daily food provisioning at 1600 hours (P < 0.01). These findings showed that mild CR caused increased fat mass, decreased lean mass and energy expenditure, and altered feeding behavior in female C57BL/6J mice. Locomotor activity or brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic capacity did not appear to contribute to the decrease in energy expenditure. The increase in fat mass and decrease in lean mass may be a stress response to the uncertainty of food availability.     

Development and Verification of a Mouse Model for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery with a Small Gastric Pouch

Existing mouse models of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery are not comparable to human RYGB in gastric pouch volume for a large or absent gastric volume. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a mouse RYGB model that closely replicates gastric pouch size of human RYGB surgery of about 5% of total gastric volume. We established this model in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice of C57BL/6J. This surgery resulted in a sustained 30% weight loss, entirely accounted for by decreased fat mass but not lean mass, compared to sham-operated mice on the high fat diet. Compared to sham-operated mice, energy expenditure corrected for total body weight was significantly increased by about 25%, and substrate utilization was shifted toward higher carbohydrate utilization at 8 weeks after RYGB when body weight had stabilized at the lower level. The energy expenditure persisted and carbohydrate utilization was even more pronounced when the mice were fed chow diet. Although significantly increased during daytime, overall locomotor activity was not significantly different. In response to cold exposure, RYGB mice exhibited an improved capacity to maintain the body temperature. In insulin tolerance test, exogenous insulin-induced suppression of plasma glucose levels was significantly greater in RYGB mice at 4 weeks after surgery. Paradoxically, food intake measured at 5 weeks after surgery was significantly increased, possibly in compensation for increased fecal energy loss and energy expenditure. In conclusion, this new model is a viable alternative to existing murine RYGB models and the model matches human RYGB surgery in anatomy. This model will be useful for studying molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of RYGB on body weight and glucose homeostasis.     

Energy balance and brown adipose tissue thermogenesis during chronic endotoxemia in rats

The effects of continuously administered endotoxin on 7-day energy balance were investigated in male rats. Three groups of rats were implanted with osmotic pumps; two groups received saline-filled pumps, whereas the third received endotoxin. One of the saline groups was pair fed to match the food intake of the endotoxemic rats. After 7 days, body energy and protein and fat contents of rats were determined together with the energy content of food and feces. Endotoxin infusion not only induced fever, but it also suppressed appetite and significantly decreased body weight gain. Metabolizable energy intake was reduced by approximately 20% in infected rats. Although protein and fat gains were lowest in the endotoxin group, there appeared to be a selective loss of protein when considered as percent of body weight. Percent body fat was unaltered between the groups. Energy expenditure considered in absolute (kJ) or body weight-independent (kJ/kg0.67) terms yielded similar patterns of results; expenditure (kJ) was 10 and 20% (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.01) lower in the endotoxemic and pair-fed rats, respectively, compared with controls. Hence, compared with pair-fed rats, endotoxin-infused animals had a 10% rise in their expenditure. Brown adipose tissue thermogenesis was assessed by mitochondrial binding of guanosine 5'-diphosphate, and results showed that binding was greatest in endotoxemic rats and lowest in the pair-fed animals. The present results suggest that in this endotoxemic model appetite suppression exacerbates changes in energy balance. However, the reduction in body weight gain is also dependent on a decrease in metabolic efficiency and an increase in total energy expenditure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coffee polyphenols suppress diet-induced body fat accumulation by downregulating SREBP-1c and related molecules in C57BL/6J mice

The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, and obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of coffee polyphenols (CPP), which are abundant in coffee and consumed worldwide, on diet-induced body fat accumulation. C57BL/6J mice were fed either a control diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5 to 1.0% CPP for 2-15 wk. Supplementation with CPP significantly reduced body weight gain, abdominal and liver fat accumulation, and infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissues. Energy expenditure evaluated by indirect calorimetry was significantly increased in CPP-fed mice. The mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 and -2, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 in the liver were significantly lower in CPP-fed mice than in high-fat control mice. Similarly, CPP suppressed the expression of these molecules in Hepa 1-6 cells, concomitant with an increase in microRNA-122. Structure-activity relationship studies of nine quinic acid derivatives isolated from CPP in Hepa 1-6 cells suggested that mono- or di-caffeoyl quinic acids (CQA) are active substances in the beneficial effects of CPP. Furthermore, CPP and 5-CQA decreased the nuclear active form of SREBP-1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity, and cellular malonyl-CoA levels. These findings indicate that CPP enhances energy metabolism and reduces lipogenesis by downregulating SREBP-1c and related molecules, which leads to the suppression of body fat accumulation.     

Effect of randomly interesterified triacylglycerols containing medium- and long-chain fatty acids on energy expenditure and hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rats

In our previous studies, medium- and long-chain triacylglycerols (MLCT), randomly interesterified triacylglycerols containing medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids in the same glycerol molecule, significantly reduced body fat accumulation in humans and rats. To clarify mechanism(s) for this effect of MLCT, we measured energy expenditure and hepatic fatty acid metabolism in rats by comparison with long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) or medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT). MLCT, compared with LCT, showed significantly lower body fat accumulation, higher 24-h energy expenditure and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity measured using octanoyl-CoA as a substrate, and similar lipogenic activity. MCT, compared with LCT, showed significantly higher energy expenditure, but fat accumulation was comparable. Additionally, MCT exhibited significantly higher lipogenic activity than the other oils. These data suggest that enhancement of energy expenditure and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) oxidation without activating de novo lipogenesis are responsible at least for the lower body fat accumulation in rats fed MLCT. The activation of hepatic lipogenesis by excessive intake of MCFA might counteract their preventive effects on body fat accumulation.     

Modeling Energy Dynamics in Mice with Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Fed High Calorie Diets

Retrospective and prospective studies show that lean mass or strength is positively associated with metabolic health. Mice deficient in myostatin, a growth factor that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass, have increased muscle and body weights and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. Their leanness is often attributed to higher energy expenditure in the face of normal food intake. However, even obese animals have an increase in energy expenditure compared to normal weight animals suggesting this is an incomplete explanation. We have previously developed a computational model to estimate energy output, fat oxidation and respiratory quotient from food intake and body composition measurements to more accurately account for changes in body composition in rodents over time. Here we use this approach to understand the dynamic changes in energy output, intake, fat oxidation and respiratory quotient in muscular mice carrying a dominant negative activin receptor IIB expressed specifically in muscle. We found that muscular mice had higher food intake and higher energy output when fed either chow or a high-fat diet for 15 weeks compared to WT mice. Transgenic mice also matched their rate of fat oxidation to the rate of fat consumed better than WT mice. Surprisingly, when given a choice between high-fat diet and Ensure® drink, transgenic mice consumed relatively more calories from Ensure® than from the high-fat diet despite similar caloric intake to WT mice. When switching back and forth between diets, transgenic mice adjusted their intake more rapidly than WT to restore normal caloric intake. Our results show that mice with myostatin inhibition in muscle are better at adjusting energy intake and output on diets of different macronutrient composition than WT mice to maintain energy balance and resist weight gain.     

An Obligate Role of Oxytocin Neurons in Diet Induced Energy Expenditure

Oxytocin neurons represent one of the major subsets of neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH), a critical brain region for energy homeostasis. Despite substantial evidence supporting a role of oxytocin in body weight regulation, it remains controversial whether oxytocin neurons directly regulate body weight homeostasis, feeding or energy expenditure. Pharmacologic doses of oxytocin suppress feeding through a proposed melanocortin responsive projection from the PVH to the hindbrain. In contrast, deficiency in oxytocin or its receptor leads to reduced energy expenditure without feeding abnormalities. To test the physiological function of oxytocin neurons, we specifically ablated oxytocin neurons in adult mice. Our results show that oxytocin neuron ablation in adult animals has no effect on body weight, food intake or energy expenditure on a regular diet. Interestingly, male mice lacking oxytocin neurons are more sensitive to high fat diet-induced obesity due solely to reduced energy expenditure. In addition, despite a normal food intake, these mice exhibit a blunted food intake response to leptin administration. Thus, our study suggests that oxytocin neurons are required to resist the obesity associated with a high fat diet; but their role in feeding is permissive and can be compensated for by redundant pathways.     

Prolonged fasting induces long-lasting metabolic consequences in mice

To endure prolonged fasting, animals undergo important acute physiological adjustments. However, whether severe fasting also leads to long-term metabolic adaptations is largely unknown. Forty-eight-hour fasting caused a pronounced weight loss in adult C57BL/6 male mice. Seven days of refeeding increased body adiposity to levels above baseline, whereas fasting-induced reductions in lean body mass and energy expenditure were not fully recovered. Respiratory exchange ratio and locomotor activity also remained altered. A fasting/refeeding cycle led to persistent suppression of Pomc mRNA levels and significant changes in the expression of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases in the hypothalamus. Additionally, histone acetylation in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus was reduced by prolonged fasting and remained suppressed after refeeding. Mice subjected to 48-h fasting 30 days earlier exhibited higher body weight and fat mass compared to aged-matched animals that were never food-deprived. Furthermore, a previous fasting experience altered the changes in body weight, lean mass, energy expenditure and locomotor activity induced by a second cycle of fasting and refeeding. Notably, when acutely exposed to high-palatable/high-fat diet, mice that went through cumulative fasting episodes presented higher calorie intake and reduced energy expenditure and fat oxidation, compared to mice that had never been subjected to fasting. When chronically exposed to high-fat diet, mice that experienced cumulative fasting episodes showed higher gain of body and fat mass and reduced energy expenditure and calorie intake. In summary, cumulative episodes of prolonged fasting lead to hypothalamic epigenetic changes and long-lasting metabolic adaptations in mice.     

Inactivation of PKCtheta leads to increased susceptibility to obesity and dietary insulin resistance in mice

In this study, we investigated the metabolic phenotype of PKCtheta knockout mice (C57BL/6J) on chow diet and high-fat diet (HFD). The knockout (KO) mice are normal in growth and reproduction. On the chow diet, body weight and food intake were not changed in the KO mice; however, body fat content was increased with a corresponding decrease in body lean mass. Energy expenditure and spontaneous physical activity were decreased in the KO mice. On HFD, energy expenditure and physical activity remained low in the KO mice. The body weight and fat content were increased rapidly in the KO mice. At 8 wk on HFD, severe insulin resistance was detected in the KO mice with hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and insulin tolerance test. Insulin action in both hepatic and peripheral tissues was reduced in the KO mice. Plamsa free fatty acid was increased, and expression of adiponectin in the adipose tissue was decreased, in the KO mice on HFD. This study suggests that loss of PKCtheta reduces energy expenditure and increases the risk of dietary obesity and insulin resistance in mice.     

Surfactant protein d deficiency in mice is associated with hyperphagia, altered fat deposition, insulin resistance, and increased basal endotoxemia

Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a host defence lectin of the innate immune system that enhances clearance of pathogens and modulates inflammatory responses. Recently it has been found that systemic SP-D is associated with metabolic disturbances and that SP-D deficient mice are mildly obese. However, the mechanism behind SP-D's role in energy metabolism is not known.Here we report that SP-D deficient mice had significantly higher ad libitum energy intake compared to wild-type mice and unchanged energy expenditure. This resulted in accumulation but also redistribution of fat tissue. Blood pressure was unchanged. The change in energy intake was unrelated to the basal levels of hypothalamic Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) gene expression. Neither short time systemic, nor intracereberoventricular SP-D treatment altered the hypothalamic signalling or body weight accumulation.In ad libitum fed animals, serum leptin, insulin, and glucose were significantly increased in mice deficient in SP-D, and indicative of insulin resistance. However, restricted diets eliminated all metabolic differences except the distribution of body fat. SP-D deficiency was further associated with elevated levels of systemic bacterial lipopolysaccharide.In conclusion, our findings suggest that lack of SP-D mediates modulation of food intake not directly involving hypothalamic regulatory pathways. The resulting accumulation of adipose tissue was associated with insulin resistance. The data suggest SP-D as a regulator of energy intake and body composition and an inhibitor of metabolic endotoxemia. SP-D may play a causal role at the crossroads of inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance.     

Effects of ambient temperature on adaptive thermogenesis during maintenance of reduced body weight in mice

We showed previously that, at ambient room temperature (22°C), mice maintained at 20% below their initial body weight by calorie restriction expend energy at a rate below that which can be accounted for by the decrease of fat and fat-free mass. Food-restricted rodents may become torpid at subthermoneutral temperatures, a possible confounding factor when using mice as human models in obesity research. We examined the bioenergetic, hormonal, and behavioral responses to maintenance of a 20% body weight reduction in singly housed C57BL/6J +/+ and Lep(ob) mice housed at both 22°C and 30°C. Weight-reduced high-fat-fed diet mice (HFD-WR) showed similar quantitative reductions in energy expenditure-adjusted for body mass and composition-at both 22°C and 30°C: -1.4 kcal/24 h and -1.6 kcal/24 h below predicted, respectively, and neither group entered torpor. In contrast, weight-reduced Lep(ob) mice (OB-WR) housed at 22°C became torpid in the late lights-off period (0200-0500) but did not when housed at 30°C. These studies indicate that mice with an intact leptin axis display similar decreases in "absolute" energy expenditure in response to weight reduction at both 22°C and 30°C ambient temperature. More importantly, the "percent" decrease in total energy expenditure observed in the HFD-WR compared with AL mice is much greater at 30°C (-19%) than at 22°C (-10%). Basal energy expenditure demands are ～45% lower in mice housed at 30°C vs. 22°C, since the mice housed at thermoneutrality do not allocate extra energy for heat production. The higher total energy expenditure of mice housed at 22°C due to these increased thermogenic demands may mask physiologically relevant changes in energy expenditure showing that ambient temperature must be carefully considered when quantifying energy metabolism in both rodents and humans.     

Administration of capsiate, a non-pungent capsaicin analog, promotes energy metabolism and suppresses body fat accumulation in mice

We investigated the effects of a single oral administration of capsiate, which is found in the fruits of a non-pungent cultivar of pepper, CH-19 Sweet, and has the same structure as capsaicin except for replacement of NH by O in the alkyl chain, on the thermogenesis and fat accumulation in mice. The oxygen consumption and serum adrenalin concentration were higher in both the capsaicin (10 mg/kg-body weight) and capsiate (10 mg/kg-body weight) groups than those in the control group. We also examined the effects of 2 weeks of administration of capsaicin and capsiate on body fat accumulation. Eevery day for 2 weeks administration of capsiate (10, 50 mg/kg-body weight/day) markedly suppressed body fat accumulation as well as capsaicin (10 mg/kg-body weight/day). These results suggest that capsiate promotes energy metabolism and suppresses body fat accumulation as does capsaicin.     

Diet‐Induced Changes in Stearoyl‐CoA Desaturase 1 Expression in Obesity‐Prone and ‐Resistant Mice

Objective: To investigate stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase (SCD) 1 expression in obesity‐prone C57BL/6 mice and in obesity‐resistant FVB mice to explore the relationship of SCD1 expression and susceptibility to diet‐induced obesity. Research Methods and Procedures: Nine‐week‐old C57BL/6 and FVB mice were fed either a high‐ or low‐fat diet for 8 weeks. Body weight and body composition were measured before and at weeks 4 and 8 of the study. Energy expenditure was measured at weeks 1 and 5 of the study. Hepatic SCD1 mRNA was measured at 72 hours and at the end of study. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations were measured at the end of study. Results: When C57BL/6 mice were switched to a calorie‐dense high‐fat diet, animals gained significantly more body weight than those maintained on a low‐calorie density diet primarily due to increased fat mass accretion. Fat mass continued to accrue throughout 8 weeks of study. Increased calorie intake did not account for all weight gain. On the high‐fat diet, C57BL/6 mice decreased their energy expenditure when compared with mice fed a low‐fat diet. In response to 8 weeks of a high‐fat diet, SCD1 gene expression in liver increased >2‐fold. In contrast, feeding a high‐fat diet did not change body weight, energy expenditure, or SCD1 expression in FVB mice. Discussion: Our study showed that a high‐fat hypercaloric diet increased body adiposity first by producing hyperphagia and then by decreasing energy expenditure of mice susceptible to diet‐induced obesity. Consumption of a high‐fat diet in species predisposed to obesity selectively increased SCD1 gene expression in liver.     

Tiliroside, a glycosidic flavonoid, ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic disorders via activation of adiponectin signaling followed by enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in liver and skeletal muscle in obese-diabetic mice

Tiliroside contained in several dietary plants, such as rose hips, strawberry and raspberry, is a glycosidic flavonoid and possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic and hepatoprotective activities. Recently, it has been reported that the administration of tiliroside significantly inhibited body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation in normal mice. In this study, we evaluated the effects of tiliroside on obesity-induced metabolic disorders in obese-diabetic KK-A(y) mice. In KK-A(y) mice, the administration of tiliroside (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 21 days failed to suppress body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation. Although tiliroside did not affect oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio was significantly decreased in mice treated with tiliroside. In the analysis of metabolic characteristics, it was shown that plasma insulin, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels were decreased, and plasma adiponectin levels were increased in mice administered tiliroside. The messenger RNA expression levels of hepatic adiponectin receptor (AdipoR)-1 and AdipoR2 and skeletal muscular AdipoR1 were up-regulated by tiliroside treatment. Furthermore, it was indicated that tiliroside treatment activated AMP-activated protein kinase in both the liver and skeletal muscle and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in the liver. Finally, tiliroside inhibited obesity-induced hepatic and muscular triglyceride accumulation. These findings suggest that tiliroside enhances fatty acid oxidation via the enhancement adiponectin signaling associated with the activation of both AMP-activated protein kinase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and ameliorates obesity-induced metabolic disorders, such as hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia, although it does not suppress body weight gain and visceral fat accumulation in obese-diabetic model mice.     

Annual changes in blood parameters,organ weights,and total body lipid in Peromyscus maniculatus and Microtus ochrogaster from a prairie environment

Abstract

Annual cycles in hematological parameters, organ weights, and total body fat were measured in two species of mice from a prairie environment. Hematocrit was higher in winter in both Microtus ochrogaster and Peromyscus maniculatus. Plasma protein concentration decreased in winter in both species. Liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands were larger in female P. maniculatus than in males. Greatest liver and kidney size occurred during lactation. Total body lipid was about 5 to 7% of live body weight throughout the year, providing enough energy to survive only about one day of fasting. Adaptive shifts in bodily functions can be expected to coincide with periods of unusual energy expenditure such as lactation and winter. In these mice conserving energy seems to be a more important survival strategy than storing it.     

Effects of CH-19 sweet, a non-pungent cultivar of red pepper, in decreasing the body weight and suppressing body fat accumulation by sympathetic nerve activation in humans

'CH-19 Sweet' is a non-pungent red pepper and enhances the energy expenditure in humans in like manner to the pungent red pepper. We investigated in this study the effects of a repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet for two weeks on the body weight and body fat in humans. Changes in the autonomic nervous activity after ingesting CH-19 Sweet were also measured by a power spectral analysis. We established a new protocol which allows the precise detection of weight change in humans by using fewer subjects. These methods were used to show that the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet reduced the body weight and suppressed body fat accumulation. Furthermore, the body weight loss due to the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet was significantly correlated with the sympathetic nervous response after its ingestion. We propose that the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet reduced the body weight and suppressed body fat accumulation by sympathetic nervous activation in humans.     

Effects of CH-19 Sweet,a Non-Pungent Cultivar of Red Pepper,in Decreasing the Body Weight and Suppressing Body Fat Accumulation by Sympathetic Nerve Activation in Humans

‘CH-19 Sweet’ is a non-pungent red pepper and enhances the energy expenditure in humans in like manner to the pungent red pepper. We investigated in this study the effects of a repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet for two weeks on the body weight and body fat in humans. Changes in the autonomic nervous activity after ingesting CH-19 Sweet were also measured by a power spectral analysis. We established a new protocol which allows the precise detection of weight change in humans by using fewer subjects. These methods were used to show that the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet reduced the body weight and suppressed body fat accumulation. Furthermore, the body weight loss due to the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet was significantly correlated with the sympathetic nervous response after its ingestion. We propose that the repeated intake of CH-19 Sweet reduced the body weight and suppressed body fat accumulation by sympathetic nervous activation in humans.     

Effects of estrogen on food intake, body weight, and temperature of male and female obese mice

Estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment of male and female C57BL/6J ob/ob mice for 32 days led to decreased body weight (20%), percentage body fat (8%) and carcass protein content (12%) when compared with non-EB-treated obese control mice. Estradiol reduced the caloric intakes of both genders by 25-35%, but did not affect body temperature regulation. Circulating glucose and insulin concentrations were also lowered by estrogens, although hyperinsulinemia persisted. Since post-treatment body weight changes correlated with daily food intakes (r = 0.81) rather than to rectal temperatures (r = -0.19), it appears that hypophagia provided a greater contribution to the estrogen-mediated reductions of growth and carcass fat than did altered energy expenditure for thermoregulation. While these data show that EB treatment does reduce the severity of some metabolic disturbances in a genetic model of type II diabetes, long-term estrogens do not appear to offer substantial advantages in the treatment of obesity or diabetes when compared with the effects of caloric restriction alone.     

Estimating the Continuous-Time Dynamics of Energy and Fat Metabolism in Mice

The mouse has become the most popular organism for investigating molecular mechanisms of body weight regulation. But understanding the physiological context by which a molecule exerts its effect on body weight requires knowledge of energy intake, energy expenditure, and fuel selection. Furthermore, measurements of these variables made at an isolated time point cannot explain why body weight has its present value since body weight is determined by the past history of energy and macronutrient imbalance. While food intake and body weight changes can be frequently measured over several weeks (the relevant time scale for mice), correspondingly frequent measurements of energy expenditure and fuel selection are not currently feasible. To address this issue, we developed a mathematical method based on the law of energy conservation that uses the measured time course of body weight and food intake to estimate the underlying continuous-time dynamics of energy output and net fat oxidation. We applied our methodology to male C57BL/6 mice consuming various ad libitum diets during weight gain and loss over several weeks and present the first continuous-time estimates of energy output and net fat oxidation rates underlying the observed body composition changes. We show that transient energy and fat imbalances in the first several days following a diet switch can account for a significant fraction of the total body weight change. We also discovered a time-invariant curve relating body fat and fat-free masses in male C57BL/6 mice, and the shape of this curve determines how diet, fuel selection, and body composition are interrelated.