Response to fasting in an unnaturally obese carnivore, the captive European polecat Mustela putorius.

The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a naturally lean carnivore prone to excessive weight gain in captivity. This study assessed its suitability to investigate the natural history of the obese phenotype displayed in overweight humans, domestic animals, and seasonally obese wild mammals. Ten farm-bred polecats were subjected to a 5-day fast with 10 controls.

Adaptations to fasting in a terrestrial mustelid, the sable (Martes zibellina).

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the actively wintering Palearctic sable Martes zibellina has evolved physiological adaptations to tolerate nutritional scarcity. Sixteen farm-bred male sables were divided into a fed control group and an experimental group fasted for 4 days. The rate of weight loss in the sable was similar to other medium-sized mustelids.

Physiological adaptations to fasting in an actively wintering canid, the Arctic blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

This study investigated the physiological adaptations to fasting using the farmed blue fox (Alopex lagopus) as a model for the endangered wild arctic fox. Sixteen blue foxes were fed throughout the winter and 32 blue foxes were fasted for 22 d in Nov-Dec 2002. Half of the fasted blue foxes were food-deprived again for 22 d in Jan-Feb 2003.

Adaptations to fasting in the American mink (Mustela vison): nitrogen metabolism.

The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptations of protein metabolism to seasonal fasting in an actively wintering boreal carnivore. Fifty farm-bred male American minks Mustela vison were divided into a fed control group and four experimental groups fasted for 2, 3, 5 or 7 days. The responses of nitrogen metabolism to wintertime food deprivation were determined by measuring the rate of weight loss, the tissue total protein concentrations and the plasma amino acid, urea, ammonia, uric acid and total protein levels.

Metformin reduces serum C-reactive protein levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Low-grade chronic inflammation, reflected in elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), has recently been linked to obesity, insulin resistance syndromes such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Because the insulin sensitizer metformin has been shown to improve metabolic disturbances in PCOS, it was of particular interest to examine serum CRP levels during metformin therapy. Twenty nonobese women [body mass index (BMI) /==" BORDER="0"> 27 kg/m(2)) with PCOS were randomized to receive either metformin (500 mg twice daily for 3 months, then 1000 mg twice daily for 3 months) or ethinyl estradiol (35 micro g)-cyproterone acetate (2 mg) oral contraceptive pills.