Effect of starvation or restriction on self-selection of macronutrients in rats

Two models of food deprivation were used to study feeding behavior: starvation and dietary restriction. Rats starved for 3 days had decreased protein intake during the first 2 days of refeeding followed by increased carbohydrate consumption compared to controls. During refeeding, total intake was initially low compared to controls. In a second starvation study of similar design, brain tissues [raphe, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)] and sera were collected for analysis before refeeding and on day 2 of refeeding. Starved and starved-refed rats had increased serum beta-hydroxybutyrate versus controls. In rats restricted for 5 days (5 g/day), total food intake was increased immediately and was characterized primarily by carbohydrate intake. Serotonin levels in the raphe were decreased in restricted rats and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) increased in restricted-refed rats. Restriction caused an increase in blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate and a decrease in insulin and glucose compared to controls. Fat selection remained low throughout all studies. The data suggest that starvation and food restriction elicit different patterns of macronutrient selection upon refeeding.