Effect of a carbohydrate supplement on feeding behaviour and exercise in rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia

The effect of a carbohydrate supplement, offered as a diet option, on feeding behaviour, body weight gain, and endurance exercise was studied in rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Male albino rats (n = 35) were randomly divided into 5 groups; hypoxic supplemented and control groups; normoxic supplemented and control groups, and an untreated control group. After treadmill training for 5 days, the hypoxic groups were exposed to simulated high altitude equivalent to 6960 m for 18 days continuously. Food and water intakes, body weight and endurance exercise were recorded before and during the exposure period. Blood glucose, insulin, muscle and liver glycogen were assayed at the end of the exposure period. Hypobaric hypoxia resulted in a significant decrease in food and water intake, and body weight, and reduced endurance exercise capacity compared to the basal and normoxic group values. The carbohydrate supplement did not ameliorate the hypoxia-induced loss in body weight, but however, significantly delayed the onset of fatigue during exercise in the supplemented rats compared to the hypoxic control group.