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Feeding pattern of liver-transplanted rats
J Louis-Sylvestre1, C Larue-Achagiotis, A Michel
1Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Nutrition, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris.
Physiology & Behavior
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Liver transplantation in rats altered food intake (FI) patterns, reducing nighttime consumption and increasing daytime meal size, suggesting the liver
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Transplantation
Background:
- The liver's role in regulating food intake (FI) is debated.
- Hepatic vagotomy studies have questioned the function of hepatic metabolic receptors in controlling feeding behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of orthotopic liver transplantation on feeding patterns and body weight (BW) in rats.
- To assess the liver's involvement in food intake regulation following transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Orthotopic liver transplantation (T), dearterialization (D), and laparotomy (L) were performed on male Lewis rats.
- Continuous recording of feeding patterns and body weight changes were monitored post-surgery.
- Comparisons were made between groups and with non-operated controls (C).
Main Results:
- Transplanted (T) rats showed reduced 24-hour FI and BW gain compared to controls during early recovery.
- Daytime FI increased, while nighttime FI and meal size decreased in T rats.
- Long-term, feeding pattern differences between T, D, and L rats were minimal, suggesting minor lasting effects.
Conclusions:
- Liver transplantation causes transient alterations in feeding patterns, including reduced nighttime food intake.
- The liver plays a role in modulating food intake, but its complete removal and revascularization may not abolish all regulatory functions.
- Post-transplant feeding behavior changes are relatively small and long-lasting effects are limited.