INCREASED FAT AND DECREASED CARBOHYDRATE APPETITE OF PANCREATECTOMIZED RATS

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Abstract
7 early pancreatectomized rats, which on the standard McCollum diet for several wks. had shown marked diabetic symptoms[long dash]polydipsia, increased food intake, decreased rate of growth, and hyperglycemia[long dash]were placed on the self-selection diet for a month or more, and then were returned to the McCollum diet. On the self-selection diet they had access to 11 purified (or nearly purified) substances in separate containers. 6 of the 7 rats manifested a marked appetite for the fat, olive oil, and ate little or none of the carbohydrate, sucrose. All 7 rats had an increased appetite for yeast. 3 rats ate large amts. of casein. In this diet the intake of carbohydrate averaged 19%; fat, 56%; and protein, 25%. Dietary selections made by the rats had pronounced effects on their diabetic symptoms. Polydipsia, increased appetite, and hyperglycemia either disappeared or were greatly reduced; and the rats gained wt. almost at normal rate. When returned to the McCollum diet, 4 of 7 rats showed diabetic symptoms. 8 rats were kept on the self-selection diet for at least 40 days before pancreatectomy and for an equal period afterwards. Then they were put on the McCollum diet. After pancreatectomy all ate more fat and little or no carbohydrate. 5 ate more yeast or liver powder; 3 ate less. 3 ate more protein; 3 ate less, and 2 showed no change. As measured in calories, the intake of carbohydrate changed from 36 to 9%; fat, from 38 to 68%; and protein remained unchanged, 26 to 23%. So long as these pancreatectomized rats remained on the self-selection diet and were thus able to regulate their diet, diabetic symptoms did not appear. However, when placed on the McCollum diet, 5 of the 8 rats showed a polydipsia, increased food intake, reduced rate of gain of wt., and hyperglycemia. Thus, by dietary selections the rats helped correct the diabetic symptoms. Their selections agree closely with our knowledge of the needs of human diabetics. Before the introduction of the insulin treatment it had long been established that diabetics thrive better on a high fat diet, that they are unable to use carbohydrate. The various responses of the diabetic rats are possibly explained in terms of Claude Bernard''s principle of the maintenance of the internal environment.

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