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Published on: June 8, 2021
Susceptibility of male wild type mouse strains to antipsychotic-induced weight gain
Rizaldy C Zapata1, Olivia Osborn1
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
Abstract:
While both men and women gain weight as a side effect of antipsychotic (AP) treatment, studies in mice have found only female mice are susceptible to weight gain. Therefore, to we set out to identify a strain of male mice that gain significant weight in response to APs which could better model AP-induced weight gain observed in humans. These studies determined that male Balb/c mice developed late onset olanzapine-induced weight gain. Patients often take APs for many years and thus understanding AP-mediated changes in food intake, energy expenditure and body weight regulation is particularly important.
Insights
Male Balb/c mice show significant weight gain with antipsychotic treatment, offering a better model for human side effects. This research is crucial for understanding long-term medication impacts on metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Antipsychotic (AP) medications are associated with weight gain in both men and women.
- Existing mouse models do not accurately reflect AP-induced weight gain observed in human males.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a suitable strain of male mice for modeling AP-induced weight gain.
- To investigate the potential of male mice to serve as a preclinical model for human AP treatment side effects.
Main Methods:
- Administration of olanzapine to various strains of male mice.
- Monitoring of body weight changes and other metabolic parameters over time.
Main Results:
- Male Balb/c mice exhibited a significant, late-onset weight gain in response to olanzapine treatment.
- This strain demonstrated susceptibility to AP-induced weight gain, unlike other tested male mouse strains.
Conclusions:
- Male Balb/c mice represent a viable preclinical model for studying antipsychotic-induced weight gain.
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital given the long-term use of APs in patients and their impact on weight regulation.

