Surgical removal of adipose tissue alters feeding behavior and the development of obesity in rats.

ABSTRACT

Lipectomized and sham-operated rats were fed a high-fat diet to induce hyperphagia and rapid fat accumulation. Lipectomized rats with 25% fewer adipocytes were less hyperphagic and accumulated less fat, but their adipocytes remained equal in size to adipocytes of controls. A role for adipocyte size in fat storage regulation and food intake control is postulated.