Apoptosis induced by a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet in rat livers

Table 1 Composition of control diet (AIN-93M)

Ingredients	g/100 g	CH (g)	PTN (g)	LIP (g)	FI (g)
Cornstarch	46.5	39.52
L-cysteine	0.18		0.18
Choline bitartrate	0.25		0.25
Mineral mix	3.50	0.77
Vitamin mix	1	0.97
Tert-butylhydroquinone	0.008
Fiber	5				5
Soybean oil	4			4
Casein (> 85% Protein)	14		11.06
Sucrose	10	10.00
Dextrinized cornstarch	15.5	13.95
Kcal (%)	338.8	260.84	45.96	32
Macronutrients (%)	100	76.98	13.56	9.46

The control diet group was fed this diet for 8 wk, elaborated by the American Institute of Nutrition in 1993 for laboratory rodents, with adequate percentages of macronutrient carbohydrate (CH), protein (PTN) and Lipids (LIP), vitamins, minerals and fiber (FI).

Table 2 Composition of experimental diet (based on the Atkins diet)

Ingredient	(g/100 g)	CH (g)	PTN (g)	LIP (g)	FI(g)
Agar	2				2
L-cysteine	0.18		0.18
Choline bitartrate	0.25		0.25
Mineral mix	3.5	0.77
Vitamin mix	1	0.97
Tert-butylhydroquinone	0.028
Fiber	5				5
Sucrose	6	6
Casein(> 85% protein)	20		16
Powdered chicken breast	60		36	12
Soybean oil	2			2
Kcal (%)	352.68	30.96	209.72	112
Macronutrients (%)	100	8.77	59.46	31.77

The experimental diet group was fed this diet for 8 wk, elaborated by the authors based on the Atkins diet. The percentage of macronutrients was 2:1 carbohydrate (CH) + protein (PTN)/lipids (LIP) with fiber (FI). The others ingredients had the same amount as recommended for the AIN-93M.

Table 3 Nonviable cells in experimental diet group and control diet group

	Early apoptosis	Late apoptosis	Non-apoptoic death
EDG1	37.34% ± 1.30%	38.67% ± 1.73%	24.00% ± 2.12%
CDG1	28.43% ± 1.19%	42.37% ± 1.10%	29.20% ± 1.29%
P-value	< 0.0001	0.0882	0.0512

¹Each value expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10) significance P < 0.05. EDG: Experimental diet group; CDG: Control diet group.