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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(7): 485-491
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-825729
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Ketoconazole, an Antifungal Agent, Protects Against Adiposity Induced by a Cafeteria Diet

J.  Campión1 , J.  A.  Martínez1
  • 1 Department of Physiology and Nutrition, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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Publication History

Received 10 September 2003

Acceped after Revision 26 January 2004

Publication Date:
11 August 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Ketoconazole, an anti-glucocorticoid agent, is widely used in humans as an antifungal agent. It inhibits ergosterol synthesis and reduces cortisol levels in the treatment of Cushing’s Syndrome. The aim of this work was to study the drug’s preventive potential against adiposity induced by a high-fat cafeteria diet in rats. Female Wistar rats were fed on standard pelleted diet or cafeteria diet during 42 days in the presence or absence of an oral treatment with ketoconazole (24 mg/kg of body weight). The cafeteria diet increased energy intake and body weight. In addition, this high-fat diet increased body-fat weight and adipose tissue depots analyzed. Interestingly, ketoconazole was able to protect against increased total body fat and adipose depot enlargement induced after cafeteria-diet feeding. Moreover, ex vivo isoproterenol-induced lipolysis was reduced in adipocytes from cafeteria-fed animals; this decrease was reverted by treatment with ketoconazole. Thus, ketoconazole was able to protect against adiposity induced by a cafeteria diet, revealing an interaction between fat intake and glucocorticoids on adipose deposition.

Key words

High fat diet · Glucocorticoids · Lipolysis · Adipocytes · Obesity · Rat

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Prof. J. A. Martínez

Department of Physiology and Nutrition

University of Navarra, C/ Irunlarrea, 31008 Pamplona, Spain

Phone: + 34/948/425-600

Fax: + 34/948/425-649

Email: jalfmtz@unav.es