Published online Sep 15, 2000. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v6.iSuppl3.95
Revised: April 20, 2000
Accepted: May 10, 2000
Published online: September 15, 2000
AIM: To evaluate the effect of chitosan on rat body weight, concetration of plasma leptin and serum testosterone.
METHODS: Five groups of rats were respectively given access to basic diet, high fat diet and high fat diet with different doses of chitosan (1.5%, 3.0% and 6.0% of chitosan in high fat diet respectively) for 7 wk. All rats were weighed once a week. By the end of 7 wk, the animals were sacrificed and their blood samples were taken, the concentration of plasma leptin and serum testosterone were determined by RIA Kit method.
RESULTS: At the end of 7 wk, the average body weight of rats treated with high-fat diet was 67.3 g heavier than that with the basic diet, however, the average body weight of rats treated with high doses of chitosan in high-fat diet was 56.3 g lighter than that with high-fat diet (P < 0.01). In addition, plasma leptin concentration in rats treated with high fat diet was significantly different from those with basic diet (P < 0.01); plasma leptin concentration in rats treated with high dose of chitosan in high-fat diet was significantly lower than those with high-fat diet (P < 0.01), but was significantly higher than those with basic diet (P < 0.05). Serum testosterone level in rats treated with high-fat diet was significantly lower than those with basic diet (P < 0.01). Serum testosterone levels in rats administrated high dose of chitosan in high-fat diet were significantly lower than those with high-fat diet (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Chitosan prevents the increase of rat body weight induced by high-fat diet, and lowers plasma leptin and serum testosterone in rats.