Effects of chronic treatment with carbutamide on distribution and biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in obese-hyperglycemic mice

Abstract

Oral treatment with carbutamide (BZ-55) for 7 weeks (2.5 gm/kg of ground chow) left the food intake and rate of weight gain of obese-hyperglycemic mice and lean littermates unmodified as compared with untreated controls. Obese-hyperglycemic animals, after 49 days of treatment showed the usual distribution and rate of biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in the liver and carcass. Liver hypertrophy, marked increase in serum cholesterol levels and lack of improvement of the ‘diabetes’ were also observed in these animals. Lean littermates similarly treated showed no modification in the distribution of fatty acids and cholesterol and in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the liver and carcass. An increase in hepatic cholesterologenesis, liver hypertrophy, some increase in serum cholesterol levels and a small but significant increase in the blood sugar levels were noticed.