Augmented expression of the obese gene in the adipose tissue from rats fed high-fat diet

Expression of the obese (ob) gene is augmented in the adipose tissue in several rodent models of genetic obesity. In the present study, we examined the ob gene expression in a rodent model of acquired obesity obtained by pure overfeeding of normal rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats at 8 weeks of age were fed standard diet or high-fat diet. Rats fed high-fat diet developed moderate degree of obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia as compared with rats fed standard diet. Northern blot analysis revealed that the ob gene is expressed abundantly in the adipose tissue obtained from the epididymal, mesenteric, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, and interscapular fat pads in rats fed standard diet. Expression of the ob gene was augmented in all the adipose tissue examined in rats fed high-fat diet. The present study demonstrates that the ob gene expression is augmented in the adipose tissue in diet-induced obesity, thereby suggesting the pathophysiologic roles of the ob gene in acquired obesity.