OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the lipid profile and electric activity of the parasympathetic (vagus nerve) and sympathetic (located in the splanchnic region) nerves of obese rats from small litters. METHODS: Two distinct groups were studied, each with 12 animals: normal litter with nine pups per litter and small litter, with three pups per litter. Chow intake and body weight were monitored from weaning until the end of the experimental protocol. At age 90 days, the animals were anesthetized with Thiopental® for investigation of the electric activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. They were then sacrificed for removal and weighing of the retroperitoneal and epididymal fat pads. Blood samples were collected for determination of blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: The small litters rats had high food intake, body weight, white fat tissue, blood glucose, blood insulin, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: The vagus nerve of the small litters rats was significantly more active than that of the normal litter rats. Sympathetic activity did not differ between the groups but the small litters model effectively promoted obesity, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and autonomic imbalance in rats.
Blood glucose; Insulin; Obesity; Autonomic nervous system
