Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 18, 2009, 551–563 Supplementation with vitamin E does not alter plasma leptin, adiponectin or corticosterone response to different high-fat diets in rats * E. Fürstenberg 1 , K. Lachowicz, E. Olczak, M. Stachoń, D. Rosołowska-Huszcz and J. Gromadzka-Ostrowska Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland (Received 8 July 2008; revised version 18 March 2009; accepted 24 June 2009) ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess if supplementation of high-fat diets with vitamin E infuences circulating leptin, adiponectin and corticosterone (Cs) in rats. Forty-eight male rats were divided into 4 groups of 12 rats each, and for 6 weeks fed on 20% (wt/wt)-fat diets. Dietary fat was provided by cod liver oil (CLO), grape seed oil (GO), rape seed oil (RO), or lard (L), enriched with vitamin E (500 mg/kg, +E), or not. Plasma hormone levels were unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. Corticosterone concentrations were, however, higher in RO+E rats compared with non-supplemented RO rats. Fat type had a signifcant impact on relative plasma adipokine levels, body weight, and body fatness. Specifcally, GO and RO exhibited the highest levels of adipokines. Yet, plasma Cs levels did not vary among groups. Our study supports the preventive role of vegetable fats, even if supplied in excess, against adipose tissue deposition and its ramifcations in terms of hormone secretion. KEY WORDS: fatty acids, adipose tissue, leptin/adiponectin ratio, vitamin E, adrenals, body composition, rats INTRODUCTION Energy homeostasis is a result of the balance between energy intake and expenditure, and is regulated centrally by the brain. The brain cortex, brain stem, and hypothalamus integrate a myriad of afferent neural, metabolic and hormonal * Supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Grant No. 2 P06T 031 27 1 Corresponding author: e-mail: ewa_furstenberg@sggw.pl