Resistant starch is effective in lowering body fat in a rat model of human endocrine obesity

Abstract

Endocrine obesity is a problem among females in the United States. Our previous studies show that resistant starch (RS) is effective in reducing body weight and fat in normal rats and mice. This study examined the effects of RS on abdominal fat and body weight in ovariectomized (OVX) and sham‐operated (sham) rats. Twenty OVX and 20 sham 10‐week old virgin female Sprague‐Dawley rats were purchased from Harlan. Rats were fed an energy control diet (EC, 3.27 kcal/g) for 6 wk prior to dietary treatment for measurement of energy intake and weight gain in the hyperphagic period after surgery. A 2x2 factorial was used as rats were then blocked by weight into diet treatment groups, and spent 13 wk on either an RS or EC diet. Data comparisons were significant at p < 0.05. OVX rats consumed more energy and gained more weight than sham rats in the pretrial period. For OVX and sham rats, energy intake, total gastrointestinal weight, large intestine/cecum weight (indicator of increased fermentation), and small intestine weight were higher in RS rats compared to EC rats. All abdominal fat pads were lower in RS rats compared to EC rats. RS rats had a lower disemboweled body weight compared to EC rats (p<0.06). This data indicate that RS was effective in lowering abdominal fat in an endocrine form of obesity compared to rats fed the EC diet, despite greater energy intakes for RS rats.Grant Funding Source: NIH and LSU AgCenter