Role of uncoupling proteins in obesity resistance

  Objective   To explore the role of uncoupling proteins(UCP)in resisting diet-induced obesity in rats.

  Methods   Fifty male Sprague-dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into control group and high-fat group and they were fed with basic diet and high-fat diet respectively for 13 weeks.Diet-induced obesity resistance(DIO-R)and diet-induced obesity rats were selected according to their body weight and the quantity of energy intake, then were observed the change of body weight and the level of the UCP mRNA in brown adipose tissue, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle was determined by RT-PCR.

  Results   The body weight of DIO-R rats were lower than those of DIO rats(P < 0.05).High fat diets increased the levels of the UCPI mRNA, UCP2 mRNA and UCP3 mRNA in DIO-R rats.

  Conclusion   Increasing expression of UCP in energy expenditure of DIO-R rats may play an important role, which was a part of cause in resisting obese rat.