Repeated allopregnanolone exposure induces weight gain in schedule fed rats on high fat diet

•Food intake and body weight were studied during repeated allopregnanolone exposure.•Allopregnanolone increased the weight gain in schedule fed rats on high fat diet.•The increased body weight gain was correlated to an increased energy intake.•Obesity resistant and obesity prone rats both gained more weight on allopregnanolone.•Allopregnanolone may be involved in body weight gain caused by a fat-rich diet.

Ingestion of energy rich high fat diets is one of the determining factors associated with the obesity epidemic. Therefore, much can be learned from studies of obesity-related substances given to animals fed a high fat diet. The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone is a potent positive modulator of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A-receptor, and both allopregnanolone and GABA have been implicated in evoking hyperphagia. In this study, food intake and body weight gain were investigated during repeated allopregnanolone exposure. Male Wistar rats were studied when fed chow ad libitum, with chow access for 4 h per day or with 45% high fat pellets for 4 h per day. Rats on the high fat diet were separated into obesity prone and obesity resistant individuals. Subcutaneous injections of allopregnanolone were given once daily over five consecutive days. Repeated exposure to allopregnanolone lead to increased weight gain, significantly so in schedule fed rats on a high fat diet. The increased weight gain was correlated to an increased energy intake. Both obesity resistant and obesity prone rats responded to allopregnanolone with increased weight gain. Obesity resistant rats treated with allopregnanolone increased their energy intake and ate as much as vehicle treated obesity prone rats. Their weight gain was also increased to the level of obesity prone rats injected with just the vehicle carrier oil. Thus, it appears that allopregnanolone may be one of the endogenous factors involved in weight gain, especially when the diet is rich in fat.