[Effect of a high fat diet on the behavior of the diameter, volume, triglyceride content and number of the adipocytes in different types of fatty tissues in male Wistar rats].

The effect of a high-fat diet on the diameter, volume, triglyceride content and number of the adipocytes was studied in male Wistar rats at the age of 9 weeks and 6 months, respectively. The adipocytes were isolated by means of the method of RODBELL. The adipocyte diameters were measured using the microscopic method. The weight and the fat content of the fatty tissue were determined gravimetrically. A diet containing 50% fat increases the diameter, volume and triglyceride content of the adipocytes and also the weight and the fat content of the different types of fatty tissue. The fat content of the diet and the duration of feeding are of importance. The high-fat diet exerts no effect on the adipocyte number. However, in both age groups, the adipocyte numbers were sometimes greater in heavy animals than in light ones fed the same diet. Genetic, hormonal, and dietarily-induced factors are considered as a possible cause.