Effects of adrenalectomy on the obese-hyperglycemic syndrome in mice (gene symbol ob)

Abstract

Mice with the inherited obese-hyperglycemic syndrome (gene symbol ob) and their lean litter mates were adrenalectomized and then studied for up to 30-36 weeks with regard to their body weights and the serum glucose and immunoreactive insulin level. Sham operated obese and lean mice were used as controls.-Adrenalectomy did not prevent the excessive weight gain of the obese mice. However, during the first three weeks after adrenalectomy the mean weight increase was some-what smaller than in the sham operated controls. The increase in the body weights of the lean animals was, however, not affected. The most prominent finding after adrenalectomy was a decrease of the serum levels of glucose and insulin in both obese and lean animals.-The results indicate that in the obese mice adrenalectomy decreases the pronounced insulin resistance. It is also suggested that insulin resistance may be dissociated from the development of obesity in these animals. © 1973 Springer-Verlag.