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Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
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Sex differences in response to activity-based anorexia model in C57Bl/6 mice
Najate Achamrah1, Séverine Nobis2, Alexis Goichon2
1Normandie Univ, INSERM unit 1073 "Nutrition, Inflammation and dysfunction of gut-brain axis", Rouen, France; Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine (IRIB), University of Rouen-Normandy, France; Rouen University Hospital, Nutrition Department, Rouen, France.
Physiology & Behavior
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Male mice show greater susceptibility to the Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) model, with distinct sex differences in physical activity patterns observed after food restriction. Further research is needed to understand these mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Animal Models
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by physical hyperactivity.
- The Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) model, combining physical activity and food restriction, aids in understanding anorexia nervosa mechanisms.
- Sex differences are noted in anorexia nervosa prevalence, suggesting potential biological underpinnings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-specific responses to the Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) model in C57Bl/6 mice.
- To identify gender differences in physical activity patterns and their correlation with food intake and body weight loss during ABA.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the ABA model in male (n=24) and female (n=16) C57Bl/6 mice.
- Implemented progressive food access limitation and monitored body weight, food intake, and wheel running activity (24h, D-PA, L-PA, A-PA, FI-PA, PP-PA).
Main Results:
- Male mice exhibited higher mortality (16.7%) compared to females during the ABA protocol.
- Females consumed more food and lost less body weight by day 17.
- Males showed increased anticipatory physical activity (A-PA) from day 9, while females displayed higher physical activity during food intake (FI-PA) and post-prandial periods (PP-PA).
Conclusions:
- Male mice appear more susceptible to the ABA model, with distinct sex-based differences in physical activity regulation observed.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in anorexia nervosa research and ABA model studies.
- Further investigation into the underlying neurobiological mechanisms driving these sex differences is warranted.
