Development of hypothalamic obesity in growing rats.

Administration of monosodium glutamate to neonate rats causes hypothalamic lesions in the region of the nucleus arcuatus and the eminentia mediana, followed by massive accumulation of triglycerides, diminished secretion of growth hormone, reduced body length and organ weights and diminished number of adipocytes (hypoplastic-hypertrophic obesity). Locomotor activity of obese animals is reduced by about 50%. Food intake is increased by about 10% during growth and development of obesity but decreased beneath the level of that in control animals in the stationary phase of obesity. Hyperinsulinemia coupled with insulin resistance develops in the stationary phase of obesity, i.e. when adipocyte diameter has reached approximately 100 microns. The effects of reduced secretion of growth hormone are considered to be a main factor of fat accumulation in this type of obesity.