Mice chronically fed a westernized experimental diet as a model of obesity, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis.
Eur J Nutr 2006;
45:298-306. [PMID:
16649091 DOI:
10.1007/s00394-006-0599-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2005] [Accepted: 07/03/2005] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Most studies in animals use diets with several features (for example low-fat, rich in micronutriments), likely to be strongly protective against chronic diseases.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The present study, performed in wild type outbred mice, was designed to evaluate the validity of a model of 'westernized' (W) diet reproducing, as closely as possible, the overall composition of an average human regime in western countries
RESULTS
In contrast to the standard (S) diet, the W diet triggered a marked increase in adiposity with some characteristics of metabolic syndrome (hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsulinemia...). There was an heterogeneity in the propensity to become obese upon exposure to the W diet in female mice. Overweight mice also presented some disturbances of renal function, such as hyperalbuminuria and hypocitraturia. Mice adapted to the W diet showed a reduction of bone mineral density, especially the non-obese ones.
CONCLUSION
These data suggest that a model of westernized diet could be appropriate for exploring the effects of mutations, drugs, or specific nutritional factors in animals and could be more relevant for human situations.
Collapse