Chronic feeding studies are required to evaluate the effects of novel anti-obesity drugs on bodyweight and the intake of food and water.

Chronic feeding studies can be performed in normal, lean rats or mice, or in animal models of obesity. Drugs can be given by a variety of routes (including sustained infusion via sc implanted osmotic minipumps or programmable, refillable micro-infusion iPRECIO® pumps).

Bodyweight and intake of food are measured routinely in chronic feeding studies.

Other endpoints in chronic feeding studies include:

• Glucose tolerance tests (to measure glycaemic control)
• Blood-sampling to measure plasma levels of metabolic parameters and biomarkers
• Blood and tissue-sampling for pharmacokinetic analysis
• Blood pressure
• Urinary glucose excretion
• Faecal fat content
• Pancreatic insulin levels
• Liver lipids
• Body composition analysis
• Ex vivo binding to confirm brain penetration/site of action
• Necropsy and gross post mortem analysis
• Preparation of tissues for histology and immunohistochemical and histological staining.

 

Effect of rimonabant or change of diet on body weight in DIO mice

 

Effect of rimonabant or change of diet on daily food intake in DIO mice

 

Effect of rimonabant or change of diet on plasma glucose and insulin
levels in DIO mice: day 28 OGTT