In vivo effects of a treatment with antibodies to adipocyte plasma membranes in the rabbit

Antibodies against rabbit adipocyte plasma membranes were injected in 6-week-old rabbits. Controls received normal IgG. Animals were killed 1, 2, 5 or 9 weeks after treatment. Body weight and food intake were reduced significantly until the 7th week for the live weight and the 5th week for the intake. Whatever the anatomical location considered, adipose tissue was markedly reduced: -75% for week 1 and -20% for week 9 respectively for the total adipose mass. Cell volume and enzymatic activities of G3PDH, LPL and LDH were highly decreased during the first 2 weeks after treatment. Simultaneously the plasma levels of triglycerides and plasma free fatty acids were increased. As shown by others in the rat, it is possible to induce a long-term fatness reduction in the rabbit by treatment with antibodies to adipocyte plasma membranes. The cytotoxic effects of antibodies have also been discussed.