The effects of low-, medium-, and high-fat diets on 2-deoxy-D-glucose- and mercaptoacetate-induced feeding

The present study examined the feeding responses stimulated by low suprathreshold and optimal doses of 2-DG and MA in three groups of rats maintained and tested on low (4.3%), medium (13.5%), or high (66.4%) fat diets. Results show that diet alters the response to 2-DG and MA. Rats on the low-fat diet significantly increased food intake after both the low and high doses of 2-DG. Rats on the medium- and high-fat diet significantly increased food intake after both the low and high doses of 2-DG. Rats on the medium- and high-fat diets significantly increased food intake only after the high dose of 2-DG. After administration of the low and high doses of MA, rats on the high-fat diet ate significantly more. However, rats on the low- and medium-fat diets significantly increased food intake only after the high dose of MA. These results suggest that diet-induced dependence of rats on fat or carbohydrate metabolism alters the sensitivity of systems controlling food intake in response to deficits in the availability of these specific metabolic fuels.