Comparison of hydrogenated vegetable shortening and nutritionally complete high-fat diet on limited access-binge behavior in rats

Abstract

Previous studies have suggested that intermittent exposure to hydrogenated vegetable shortening yields a binge/compensate pattern of feeding in rats. The present study was designed to assess whether rats would exhibit similar patterns of intake when given intermittent access to a nutritionally complete high-fat diet. Four groups of rats received varying exposure to either hydrogenated vegetable shortening or high-fat diet for 8 consecutive weeks. Animals were given daily and intermittent access to determine if the binge/compensate pattern of feeding was frequency dependent. At the conclusion of the study, body composition and plasma leptin levels were assessed to determine effects of diet and binge/compensate intake on endocrine alterations. As predicted, animals receiving intermittent access to high-fat diet displayed the binge/compensate pattern of feeding and appeared to compensate as a result of the caloric overload accompanying a particular binge episode. In addition, exposure to either shortening or high-fat diet led to alterations in body composition, while only exposure to shortening altered plasma leptin levels. These results suggest that binge-intake behavior occurs on a nutritionally complete high-fat diet and that this regimen is capable of altering both body composition and endocrine profile.

Escalation in high fat intake in a binge eating model differentially engages dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area and requires ghrelin signaling

“…Using similar models, previous studies have shown an escalation in food intake among the initial binge eating events until the magnitude of the palatable food consumption finally stabilizes (Bake et al, 2014;Berner et al, 2008;Davis et al, 2007;Sindelar et al, 2005;Wojnicki et al, 2008); however, the molecular substrates involved in this escalation profile have not been studied.…”

“…Since it is believed that binge eating episodes in human beings are not driven by metabolic needs, exposure of satiated rodents to palatable stimuli has been extensively used as a model of binge eating (Corwin and Buda-Levin, 2004). Interestingly, several studies using intermittent or daily access to palatable foods have shown that rodents' consumption gradually escalates over the initial accesses until it finally stabilizes Bake et al, 2014;Berner et al, 2008;Davis et al, 2007;Lardeux et al, 2013;Rada et al, 2005;Wojnicki et al, 2008). Intake escalation appears to be a critical phenomenon since it has been proposed to mediate the transition from a controlled to a compulsive or loss of control behavior (Goeders et al, 2009).…”

“…Binge eating intake in animals allowed intermittent or daily access to palatable foods presumably involve neuronal circuits regulating rewarding aspects of eating Bake et al, 2014;Berner et al, 2008;Davis et al, 2007;Lardeux et al, 2013;Rada et al, 2005;Wojnicki et al, 2008). These neuronal circuits include the dopamine neurons of the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) that project to the nucleus accumbens (Acb) in the ventral striatum as well as other areas such as the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus (Kenny, 2011).…”

Binge-type behavior in rats consuming trans-fat-free shortening

“…When a 1-2 hr period of availability to vegetable shortening is provided on an intermittent access schedule (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays [1][2][3][4][5][6] or every third day [7]), rats consume significantly more shortening during this brief period of time than do rats with 1-2 hr of shortening provided every day. Furthermore, rats on the intermittent access schedule consume as much vegetable shortening during the brief access period as rats with continuous shortening access consume in 24-hr (24 hr/day -7 days/week) [4].…”

“…A behavioral model of binge-type eating has been described in which vegetable shortening serves as the binge food [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. When a 1-2 hr period of availability to vegetable shortening is provided on an intermittent access schedule (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays [1][2][3][4][5][6] or every third day [7]), rats consume significantly more shortening during this brief period of time than do rats with 1-2 hr of shortening provided every day.…”