Replacement of a High-fat Diet with a Standard Chow Diet Reduces Daytime Food Intake in Obese Mice and Normalizes Fat Accumulation and Metabolic Parameters

Introduction: The consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in fat has contributed to the global rise in obesity and other metabolic disorders, including excess adipose tissue accumulation and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Although physical exercise and dietary education are first-line treatments for weight loss, restrictive diets are often used to accelerate weight reduction. However, these diets are generally unsustainable in the long term and frequently lead to weight regain.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of replacing a high-fat diet with a standard chow diet (ad libitum) on food intake, fat accumulation, glycemic homeostasis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methodology: Animals were divided into two groups: one fed a high-fat diet and the other a standard diet for 8 weeks. Then, half of the animals on the high-fat diet had their food replaced with a standard diet. Body weight was measured weekly. After an additional 7 weeks, food intake was assessed, and glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. The animals were euthanized 8 weeks after the dietary intervention, and liver tissue was collected for histological analysis.

Results: The high-fat diet induced obesity and metabolic changes, including hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Replacing it with a standard diet, even without influencing total caloric intake, reduced daytime food intake and successfully restored body weight, normalized blood glucose and lipid profiles, and improved hepatic steatosis.

Conclusion: Switching to a standard chow diet, even without reducing total caloric intake, decreased daytime food intake, restored body weight, normalized blood glucose and lipid profiles, and improved hepatic steatosis in mice.