Full text for free:
http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/content/234/11/1287.long

Abstract:

QUOTE

Response to Fasting in an Unnaturally Obese Carnivore, the Captive
European Polecat Mustela putorius

Author Affiliations

Anne-Mari Mustonen, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Joensuu,
FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland;
Matti Puukkaa. Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Oulu,
FI-90014, Oulu, Finland;
Kirsti Rouvinen-Watt, Department of Plant and Animal Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3, Canada;
Jari Aho, Municipal Veterinary Clinic of Joensuu, FI-80220,
Joensuu, Finland;
Juha Asikainen, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine,
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Oulu, FI-90014,
Oulu, Finland; and
Petteri Nieminen* Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine,
Department of Anatomy, University of Kuopio, FI-70211,
Kuopio, Finland

Abstract

The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a naturally lean carnivore
prone to excessive weight gain in captivity. This study assessed its
suitability to investigate the natural history of the obese phenotype
displayed in overweight humans, domestic animals, and seasonally
obese wild mammals. Ten farm-bred polecats were subjected to a 5-day
fast with 10 controls. Obesity (40% body fat) was associated with
an unfavorable plasma lipid profile and high glucose and insulin
concentrations. The polecats were in phase II of fasting with
normoglycemia, low liver carbohydrate stores, and decreased plasma
concentrations of urea and most amino acids. Although the plasma
nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were elevated, the adipose
tissue lipase activities suggested a blunted lipolytic response.
Lipid mobilization was more efficient from intraabdominal fat. The
animals developed hepatic lipidosis with elevated NEFA influx into
the liver and losses of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and arginine
as hypothetical etiological factors. The plasma leptin, insulin, and
triiodothyronine levels decreased but were not accompanied by reduced
sex steroid or increased stress hormone concentrations. The blunted
lipolytic response often encountered in obesity suggests that the
organism is trying to defend the obese phenotype. Liver lipidosis and
decreased insulin and triiodothyronine levels seem to be among the most
consistent responses to fasting manifested in diverse mammalian orders
and different levels of body fatness. The polecat could be recommended
as an easily accessible carnivorean model to study the natural history
of the obese phenotype and its comorbidities.

END QUOTE

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Recommended ferret health links:
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http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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[Posted in FML 7687]