The influence of dietary fat and protein on the aging hamster: Hemoglobin, glucose, triglycerides, and serum proteins

Abstract

Hamsters were fed one of three levels of casein (9, 18, and 36 g/385 Kcal) combined with one of three levels of corn oil (4.5, 9.0, and 18.0 g/385 Kcal) from 8 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected 2, 5, 11, and 17 months after animals began to receive the various diets. Whole blood hemoglobin was highest in animals fed the high-protein diets at the 5-and 11-month measurements, but also high in animals fed the medium-protein diet at the 17-month measurement. The medium-and high-fat diets resulted in the highest hemoglobin values. Serum triglycerides and plasma glucose were elevated in hamsters fed high-fat or high-protein diets at nearly every collection period. Each serum protein fraction was influenced differently by the diets. Increasing dietary fat and/or protein increased serum albumin. Serum alpha one globulin was elevated in hamsters of both sexes fed high-fat diets. In contrast, low-protein diets reduced the concentration of this fraction in males only. Beta globulins were influenced by dietary fat. At 5 and 17 months, high-fat diets elevated this fraction, but at 11 months depressed it. Gamma globulins were elevated by feeding high-fat diets to female hamsters. The age and sex of hamsters are influential in determining their responses to different diets.