Dexfenfluramine (DEX) and sibutramine (SIB) are effective antiobesity agents. Their effects on weight control and hormone
profile have not been previously studied in diet-switched diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, in which treatment is initiated upon
cessation of a low-fat diet and resumption of a high-fat diet. Furthermore, their effects on circulating ghrelin in obese
humans or in animal models of obesity have not yet been reported. Male C57BI/6J DIO mice after 16 wk on a high-fat diet (HF,
60 kcal% fat) were switched to a low-fat diet (LF, 10 kcal% fat) for 50 d. HF diet resumed concurrently with treatment for
28 d with DEX 3 and 10 mg/kg, twice a day (BID); SIB 5 mg/kg BID; or vehicle. Rapid weight regain ensued in vehicle-treated
DIO mice. DEX or SIB treatment significantly blunted the body weight gain. Caloric intake was decreased acutely by DEX or
SIB vs vehicle during the first 2 d treatment, but returned to control after 5 d. At the end of study, epididymal fat weight
and whole body fat mass determined by DEXA scan were decreased by DEX 10 mg/kg, and whole body lean mass decreased with DEX
3 mg/kg treatment. Circulating ghrelin on d 28 was increased with either DEX 3 or 10 mg/kg treatment, while growth hormone
and insulin were decreased. Leptin was also decreased in the DEX 10 mg/kg group. SIB did not significantly affect fat mass,
ghrelin, growth hormone, insulin, or leptin. Mice chronically fed LF diet maintained a lower caloric intake, gained less weight
and fat mass than diet-switched mice, and had higher ghrelin and lower insulin and leptin. In summary, weight regain in diet-switched
DIO mice is delayed with either DEX or SIB treatment. DEX treatment of diet-switched DIO mice decreased growth hormone, insulin,
leptin, fat mass, lean mass, and increased ghrelin, while SIB only decreased body weight.
Key Words Dexfenfluramine - sibutramine - diet-induced obseity