Investigations Regarding Obesity Induction and Prevention through a Guided Diet.

Obesity is associated with a high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, management of body weight to prevent obesity remains as an important priority. The present investigation addresses the effects of Omega-3 PUFAs on body weight, blood composition and histological aspects in guinea pigs. We used 21 Guinea pigs, 12 weeks old, which were randomly assigned to control group, 0.5 % cholesterol in diet group and 0.5 % cholesterol in diet plus Omega-3 group. Guinea pigs fed with 0.5 % cholesterol in diet showed a significant increase in body weight and serum levels - total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and LDL cholesterol (LDLC) - when compared to control group (P=0.0039, P=0.00950, P=0.00001, P= 0.00134 respectively). They also develop severe hepatic steatosis. Adding Omega-3 in diet significant reduce body weight, serum levels - TC, TG and LDL-C and hepatic steatosis when compared to control group (P=0.04077, P= 0.01, P=0.00001, P=0.0995). In conclusion, concerning the efficacy of Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce body weight, hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic steatosis, their adding in diet have positive effects in obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]