Lentils counteract the ability of dietary fat to increase adiposity in growing C57BL/6J female mice (1031.4)

Abstract

Pulse consumption can prevent obesity in rodents challenged with high levels of dietary fat. In the C57BL/6J mouse, high fat diets also have been shown to reduce mammary ductal development. In this study, we hypothesized that dietary lentils would prevent the increased adiposity and diminished mammary ductal development that occurs in high fat‐fed C57BL/6J mice. Female mice (5/treatment) were fed either Harlan‐Teklad 2020x (2020x, 6.5% fat), Harlan TD.88137 (HF, 21% fat, 34% sucrose), or Harlan TD.88137 with cooked, freeze‐dried lentils added at 15% (HFL). After 4 weeks on the diets, females fed HFL had higher (P<0.05) weight gain than both 2020x and HF. However, body fat mass and percent fat were similar among 2020x and HFL, and both lower (P<0.05) than that of HF females. In addition, wet weight of both the parametrial and mammary fat pads were similar among 2020x and HFL, and lower in weight (P<0.05) than HF females. Comparison of mammary ductal morphometry measurements revealed only modest dietary effects. These data demonstrate that dietary lentils can counteract the increased body fatness effect of a high fat diet in growing female mice. Grant Funding Source: Supported by The American Pulse Association