Leucine Supplementation and Its Effects on Cholesterol and Adiponectin in Rats
Author Information
Author(s): Francisco L Torres-Leal, Miriam H Fonseca-Alaniz, Gabriela F Teodoro, Mariana D de Capitani, Daiana Vianna, Lucas C Pantaleão, Emidio M Matos-Neto, Marcelo M Rogero, Jose Donato Jr, Julio Tirapegui
Primary Institution: University of São Paulo, Brazil
Hypothesis
Does leucine supplementation improve metabolic health in rats previously exposed to a high-fat diet?
Conclusion
Leucine supplementation increased adiponectin levels and reduced total cholesterol concentration but did not improve insulin sensitivity or reduce body fat in previously obese rats.
Supporting Evidence
- Leucine supplementation increased serum adiponectin levels.
- Leucine supplementation reduced total cholesterol concentration.
- Endurance training was more effective than leucine in reducing body fat.
Takeaway
Giving rats leucine didn't help them lose weight or improve their blood sugar, but it did help raise a good protein in their blood and lower bad cholesterol.
Methodology
Forty-seven rats were divided into groups and fed either a control diet or a high-fat diet for 15 weeks, followed by treatment with leucine supplementation or endurance training for 6 weeks.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the selection of treatment groups and the effects of the high-fat diet prior to supplementation.
Limitations
The study was conducted on rats, which may not fully represent human responses to leucine supplementation.
Participant Demographics
Male Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately 120 days old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.021 for adiponectin, P = 0.042 for total cholesterol
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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