The effect of caloric of food on energy intake and body weight in tumor‐bearing rats

Abstract

Anorexia and weight loss are major problems for cancer patients and are associated with increased cancer morbidity and mortality. The current clinical approach is to encourage high calorie food intake. In the present study, we used an animal model of tumor-induced anorexia to evaluate the effect of feeding a high caloric diet on food and caloric intake and body weight of tumor-bearing rats. Tumor-bearing rats fed a diet containing 4.7 kcal/g reduced the amount of food they ate to equal the caloric intake of rats fed a diet containing 3.7 kcal/g. Body weight and tumor growth were not affected by the diet intervention. These data suggest that energy intake is regulated in tumor-bearing rats as it is in healthy animals, albeit at a lower level. These data have implications for further study of the effects of nutritional supplements on food intake and nutritional status of cancer patients.

Inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis do not improve food intake or body weight of tumor-bearing rats

“…They were housed individually with ad libitum access to food and water. The animals were fed a pulverized rat chow, and food intake was determined by weighing the dishes each morning as previously described (Fridriksdottir & McCarthy, 1995). The Morris 7777 hepatoma was obtained from American Type Culture Collection (Line McA-RH7777; Bethesda, MD).…”

“…The Morris 7777 hepatoma was obtained from American Type Culture Collection (Line McA-RH7777; Bethesda, MD). A 1-mm tumor fragment was implanted between the scapulae with a trocar needle, as previously described (Fridriksdottir & McCarthy;McCarthy & Daun, 1993). The area between the scapulae was palpated daily for growth of the implanted tumor fragment.…”