Impact of a cafeteria diet on metabolism and behavior in Bex3 knockout mice

Identifier:  TFM:2500

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM2500

Authors:  Bouhezam, Radhia

Abstract:
Obesity, a chronic disease that increases the risk of metabolic disorders, represents a public health issue. The *Bex3* gene, located on the X chromosome and expressed in the central nervous system, is linked to neurodevelopment, and its absence is associated with autism spectrum disorder. This study analyzes the interaction between diet-induced obesity and behavioral alterations in female *Bex3* knockout (KO) mice. Over a 10-week period, KO and heterozygous mice were fed either a control diet or a cafeteria diet, with assessments covering body weight, food intake, insulin sensitivity, sociability, and anxiety. KO mice on the cafeteria diet exhibited increased body weight and visceral fat, insulin resistance, and alterations in sociability and anxiety, highlighting the dual role of *Bex3* in metabolism and behavior.