Dietary Restriction Induces a Stable Metabolic Obesity Phenotype in Drosophila Melanogaster

Abstract ObjectiveChallenges associated with current nutritional models to induce obesity in Drosophila melanogaster created a rationale for this study. The objective of the study was to investigate biochemical changes associated with high-fat diet (HFD), high sucrose diet (HSD), and a protein-restricted diet (DR) to induce a healthy metabolic obesity state. Drosophila melanogaster were fed to four experimental diets: regular food (control), HFD, HSD, and DR, for four weeks. Peristaltic waves were measured on 3rd instar larvae, while negative geotaxis, body mass, catalase activity; and total triglycerides, sterol, and protein were measured in adult Drosophila melanogaster.ResultsDR produced a Drosophila melanogaster phenotype which had superior adaptive advantages than that generated from HFD and HSD. HFD was the best phenotype during larval stages; however, locomotory, body mass, triglyceride, sterol concentrations, and catalase activity were highest in the DR phenotype during adulthood. High catalase activity and high triglyceride content demonstrated a balanced and healthy metabolic obesity status than in other phenotypes in the adult stage. Evolutionary changes are responsible for the selective advantage of the DR phenotype over the HFD phenotype. Prospective studies to guide therapy and community behavior should place more emphasis on the DR phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster.