Higher body fat aggravates toxin-induced infectious episodes

Metabolism. 1999 Aug;48(8):946-8. doi: 10.1016/s0026-0495(99)90186-5.

Abstract

Animal models using rabbits were developed to accumulate a variable body fat mass (FM) in two groups of animals while the fat-free mass (FFM), eg, total body protein, was maintained essentially similar between the groups. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were measured as an index of lipid peroxidation and were found to be higher in the whole-body tissues of animals with a higher FM. Bacterial toxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) also induced higher lipid peroxidation in animals with a higher FM, with a concomitant incidence of bloody mucous diarrhea. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence to show the effect of body FM to aggravate toxin-induced infections leading to diarrhea. The overall results suggest further investigations to explore the possible role of body fat in infectious diseases in humans.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Adipose Tissue / physiopathology
  • Animals
  • Body Weight*
  • Chick Embryo
  • Diarrhea / etiology*
  • Diarrhea / metabolism
  • Diarrhea / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Rabbits
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides