The Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Sensory Specific Satiety in Rats Using the Hindlimb Unloading Model

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The Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Sensory
Specific Satiety in Rats Using the Hindlimb
Unloading Model

• Bio 250 and 450 classes
• Presenters Elizabeth Gowan, Casey Skinner, and
  Tyler Stinnett
• Funded by NASAs South Carolina Space Grant
  Consortium Research Experience for Undergraduates
  Grant

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Observation Astronauts get sick in space

• Cephalic Fluid Shift
• Space Adaptation Syndrome
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of smell and taste

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Why does this matter?

• Renewed interest in space exploration
• Difficulties reduce productivity
• Cost effectiveness in NASA spending

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How can we increase astronauts food consumption?
Study humans in simulated microgravity
Animal model of simulated microgravity?

• Yes! gt800 papers published using this animal
  model
• None have attempted to manipulate feeding
  behaviors

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Is there an animal model of increased eating?

• Sensory Specific Satiety (Ahn and Phillips, 1999)

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Purpose

• To combine an existing model of simulated
  microgravity with an existing model of increased
  eating

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Hypothesis

• Rats exhibit sensory specific satiety under
  conditions of simulated microgravity.

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Methods

• 7 Male Sprague-Dawley Rats
• Fed Rat Chow ad-libitum except on experimental
  days
• Used NASA Hindlimb Unloading Model

• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
  Approved

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What is the Hindlimb Unloading Model?

• Simulates microgravity (Morey-Holton Globus,
  2002.)
• Cephalic Fluid Shift
• Symptoms of Space Adaptation Syndrome

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Experimental Time Line
body weight food intake measured twice daily
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Weekly Procedures
Food deprivation
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How SSS was measured...

• Food Intake (grams)
• Meal 1 at 60 and 90 minutes
• Meal 2 at 30 minutes

• Latency to Eat (minutes)
• Meal 2

Statistical Analysis

• Two Way Repeated Measures ANOVA
• Student-Newman-Keuls Test plt0.05

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Meal 1 Food Intake at 60 and 90 Minutes
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Latency to Eat Meal 2
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Meal 2 Food Intake at 30 minutes
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Conclusions

• Rats in Hindlimb Unloading model exhibit Sensory
  Specific Satiety.

• Rats in Hindlimb Unloading model eat
  significantly less than their horizontal
  counterparts.

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Relevance

• How does this relate to astronauts?
• Future Directions
• Promote increased energy intake
• Manipulate sensory properties
• Increase caloric density

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Acknowledgements

• Funded by a grant awarded to Drs. Davis and
  Hettes from NASAs South Carolina Space Grant
  Consortium.

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The Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Sensory
Specific Satiety in Rats Using the Hindlimb
Unloading Model

• Bio 250 and 450 classes
• Presenters Elizabeth Gowan, Casey Skinner, and
  Tyler Stinnett
• Funded by NASAs South Carolina Space Grant
  Consortium Research Experience for Undergraduates
  Grant

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Latency to Feed Meal 1
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Overnight Food Intake