The drug LY79771 affects fat regain by starved and refed BHE rats

The effect of the drug LY79771 on the fat rebound response of BHE rats to starvation-refeeding was studied. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 determined the effect of the drug on the composition of the regained weight following a period of starvation. The drug-treated rats had significantly less body fat after refeeding than did the control rats. Experiment 2 measured the liver and fat pad lipid levels and the activities of two NADP-linked enzymes after starvation-refeeding. The classic two- to threefold hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme overshoot and increase in liver and fat pad lipid levels were seen in refed controls but not in refed LY79771-treated rats. Experiment 3 measured de novo fatty acid synthesis in LY79771-treated and control rats. Treatment with LY79771 resulted in lower hepatic fatty acid synthesis in starved and refed rats. These observations suggest that LY79771 can be effective in preventing fat regain following energy deprivation.