EFFECTS OF DIET AND ALTITUDE ON BODY COMPARTMENTS OF RATS.
Abstract
Body composition changes in growing albino rats were compared at Denver, Colorado (altitude 5,280 ft) and Climax, Colorado (altitude 11,400 ft) together with the effect of a high carbohydrate, fat or protein diet. Growing rats exposed to a higher altitude accumulated significantly (P<0.001) less body fat in comparison to the control rats. Rats fed a high fat diet have considerably greater fat load than rats on the carbohydrate or protein diet. No changes in the fat-free composition were observed between the two altitudes, nor among the three dietary groups. Muscle protein decreases significantly at Climax with a corresponding increase in nonmuscle protein. Effect of diet on muscle protein at both altitudes, listed in order of the diets are: protein > carbohydrate > fat. Although total body water was not affected by altitude exposure, a significant shift between the intra- and extracellular spaces was observed. At higher altitude, the prercentage of intracellular space was increased with a corresponding decrease in the percentage of extracellular space. Further evidence from the literature also indicates that these two fluid spaces in mammals are highly altitude-dependent. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0651578
Entities
People
- Kenneth S. K. Chinn