Effects of long-term administration of caffeine on fat storage in ovariectomized rats

It is well known that obesity occurs in women with climacteric disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether caffeine prevents obesity and bone loss in ovariectomized rats (ovx). Eight-week-old female Wistar rat were assigned to 4 groups: a sham-operated group fed the control diet (CE-2); an ovx-c group fed the control diet; an ovx-caf 0.15% group fed the control diet containing 1.5 g/kg of caffeine; and an ovx-caf 0.3% group fed the control diet containing 3 g/kg of caffeine. Body weights at 2-9 weeks and the final parametrail adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the ovx-caf 0.3% group than in the ovx-c group. Food intakes were significantly lower in the ovx-caf 0.3% group than in the ovx-c group. After 9 weeks, the rats were killed and adipose tissues were sampled immediately. Basal lipolysis was increased in the ovx-caf 0.3% group fed the control diet containing 3 g/kg of caffeine than in the ovx-c group fed the control diet. The relative content of calcium (g/100 g body weight) in the ovx-caf 0.3% group was significantly increased compared with that in the ovx-c group. These results show a new possible role for caffeine in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.