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Numerous epidemiological studies have reported that moderate alcohol drinking has beneficial effects. However, few studies have focused on the beneficial effects of ethanol, the common component in alcoholic beverages. Here we fed the C57BL/6 mice with 3.5% v/v ethanol as drinking water substitute to investigate the effects of long-term low-dose ethanol intake in vivo. We evaluated the metabolic rate and mitochondrial function of the long-term low-dose ethanol-intake (LLE) mice, assessed the exercise ability of LLE mice, and fed the LLE mice with a high-fat diet to investigate the potential impact of ethanol on it. The LLE mice showed improved thermogenic activity, physical performance, and mitochondrial function, as well as resistance against the high-fat diet-induced obesity with elevated insulin sensitivity and subdued inflammation. Our results suggest that long-term low-dose ethanol intake can improve healthspan and resist high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. It may provide new insight into understanding the protective effects of moderate alcohol drinking.

Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSL) are the enzymes that convert long-chain fatty acids to long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs that are utilized for various cellular processes, including triglyceride synthesis, energy metabolism, sphingolipid formation, and modification of lipids and proteins. Among five common isotypes (ACSL1, 3, 4, 5, and 6), ACSL1 is the predominant isotype in adipose tissue and essential for fatty acid oxidation during the cold adaption in brown adipose tissue. However, it is unknown whether ACSL1 is involved in brown adipocyte differentiation. Since the smooth muscle-like cells (mural cells) are the progenitors of brown adipocytes, we hypothesize that the ACSL1 in smooth muscle cells contributes to brown adipocyte differentiation and energy metabolism. We generated a smooth muscle-specific ACSL1 knockout mouse (ACSL1SM-/-) by breeding SM22α-cre mouse with ACSL1flox/flox mouse. ACSL1 deficiency in smooth muscle cells protected from high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity without changes in food intake and physical activity. Furthermore, HFD-fed ACSL1flox/flox mice were more glucose tolerant and insulin sensitive compared to HFD-fed wild-type mice. We also observed that cold adaptation, thermogenesis, was significantly impaired in ACSL1SM-/- mice. We isolated stromal vascular cells (SVCs) from inguinal and brown adipose tissues and then subjected them to adipocyte differentiation. We found that the adipocyte differentiation was impaired, and the expression of UCP1 was significantly reduced in the absence of ACSL1. These results suggest that ACSL1 in smooth muscle cells contributes to energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis by regulation of brown fat differentiation. Disclosure G. Ren: None. M. Young: None. J. Kim: None. Funding National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK079626); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL128695); National Institute on Aging (AG058078)

Brassicaceae contain bioactive compounds with potential positive effects on metabolic syndrome. Here, we evaluated the eventual anti-obesity properties of an ethanolic broccoli extract (BE), selected by a tested ability to reduce Caenorhabditis elegans fat content. Two doses (14 and 140 mg/kg animal) of BE were evaluated in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) Wistar rat model. After 10 weeks of BE supplementation, animals exhibited reduced body weight gain and food efficiency, decreased atherogenic index of plasma and improved glucose tolerance in comparison with non-supplemented rats. BE also reduced the retroperitoneal fat mass and adipocyte size, all associated to down-regulation of Cebpa, Srebp1, Fasn and Adipoq expression in adipocytes. Finally, BE significantly decreased liver steatosis, accompanied by the up-regulation of Acot8 and Acox1, and the down-regulation of Fasn, Fatp4 and Srebf1 expression in hepatocytes. Our data provides new knowledge about the potential role of broccoli components in the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the modulatory effect of chitosan oligosaccharide-nisin conjugate (CON-C) on intestinal microbiota of human flora-associated (HFA) mice and also reveal its effect towards the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Both Chitosan oligosaccharides and nisin showed great potential in modulating the intestinal microbiota, so it is worth to explore whether the modulation effect of chitosan oligosaccharide could be improved by covalently binding with nisin. Materials and Methods CON-C was prepared by heating the mixed solution of chitosan oligosaccharide and nisin at 80°C and pH 2.0 for 24h. The structure of CON-C were analyzed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CON-C’s anti-obesity effect and modulatory effect toward intestinal microbiota were analyzed using human flora-associated (HFA) mice model. Results CON-C could alleviated HFD-induced gut dysbiosis, by significantly decreasing the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus/Enterococcus spp., and increasing the numbers of Bacteroides–Prevotella and Clostridium groups. CON-C could also enriched the most differentially expressed genes through KEGG pathways of biosynthesis of amino acids, two-component system, and ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Conclusions The improved therapeutic effect of CON-C against HFD-induced obesity has been approved, and hence, CON-C has a great potential to be utilized as a functional food ingredient in reducing body weight.

Background: Dietary fat absorption involves the re esterification of digested triacylglycerol in the enterocytes, it is a biological process catalyzed by monoacylglycerol O acyltransferase 2 (MOGAT2, aka MGAT2), which is highly expressed in the small intestine. A previous study showed that the loss of the Mogat2 gene can prevent high fat diet induced obesity in mice. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer including postmenopausal breast cancer.Methods: We collected 147 patients with triple negative breast adenocarcinoma to explore the relationship between the expression of MOGAT2 and patient overall survival. And we generated a Mogat2 deficient mouse mammary tumor model by crossing Mogat2 deficient mice with MMTV PyMT mice to examine the effect of losing MOGAT2 in vivo. Results: Our founding suggest that obesity was induced by a relatively high fat diet (37% of calories from fat) in the mice with or without Mogat2 knockout. Mammary tumor development was deteriorated by a relatively high fat diet regardless of Mogat2 deficiency. As a compensation mechanism, upregulation of diacylglycerol O acyltransferases 1 and 2 (Dgat1 and Dgat2) in the Mogat2 deficient mice was found. Conclusions: Elevated expression of MOGAT2 in triple negative breast adenocarcinoma predicts poorer patient overall survival. With the compensation of Dgat1 and Dgat2, Mogat2 deficiency alone cannot prevent fat diet induced obesity, nor prevent mammary tumor development in a mouse model.

Background: Obesity is associated with many adverse effects on female fertility. Obese women are more likely to have ovulatory dysfunction due to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. However, ovarian function in obese women during early pregnancy still needs further assessment. Methods: Obesity was induced in C57BL6/J mice using high-fat diets (HFD) for 12 weeks; In vitro high-fat model was established with KGN cells treated with Oleate acid and Palmitic acid. Ovarian morphology of obese mice in early pregnancy was assessed by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining and its function was assessed using ELISA, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. The Oil Red O staining and Transmission electron microscopy were used to detect fatty acid accumulation and specific markers relating to ovarian functional mechanism were assessed by Real time PCR, Western blotting, Lactate detection, ATP detection, Biochemical analyses and ELISA.Results: The results of this study showed that during early pregnancy, the number of corpus luteum, serum estradiol and progesterone levels, and the expression of genes CYP19A1, CYP11A1 and StAR, which are related to steroid biosynthesis, were significantly increased in HFD female mice. HFD-fed mice also showed a significant increase in ovarian lipid accumulation on day 7 of pregnancy. Genes involved in fatty acid synthesis (Acsl4 and Elovl5) and fatty acid uptake and transport (Slc27a4), together with the β-oxidation rate-limiting enzyme (Cpt1a) were significantly upregulated in HFD-fed mice. Specifically, there was abnormal elevation of ATP level and aberrant expression of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and electron transport chain related genes in the ovary of HFD pregnant mice. Treatment of KGN cells with etomoxir targeting β-oxidation of fatty acid, showed decrease tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain. The elevated ATP level and the increased estradiol and progesterone levels were reversed. Conclusions: This study indicated that during early pregnancy, high-fat diet and induced-obesity increased fatty acid β-oxidation, which in turn increase the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain, and consequently increases ATP production and ovarian dysfunction.

Caffeic acid (CFA), a natural polyphenolic compound which exists in coffee, fruits and certain traditional Chinese medicine, is one promising anti-obesity agent with a variety of pharmacological activities. The objective of the current study was to determine the mechanism of anti-obesity effect of CFA, and the relationship between its anti-obesity effect and gut microbiota change in high fat diet induced obese (DIO) mice. The DIO mice were administrated CFA by daily gavage at 50 mg/kg body weight for 12 weeks. The results showed that CFA significantly ameliorated high fat diet induced obesity. Specifically CFA reduced body weight and fat accumulation, improved lipid profile and increased energy expenditure in DIO mice. Moreover, CFA restored gut microbiota imbalance and increased the abundance of anti-obesity related bacteria and butyrate-producing bacteria in DIO mice. We conclude that CFA is effective to reduce metabolic risks possibly by regulating gut microbiota.

Lipotoxicity is defined as deposition of excess fat associated with an inflammatory response. Metabolomic analysis of fatty acids (FAs) can be a marker of silent inflammation. ω3-Enriched diet, celecoxib, and safranal may have a protective anti-inflammatory role. In this work, total FAs extracted from red blood cells and arachidonic acid-to-eicosapentaenoic acid (AA-to-EPA) ratios were assessed using GC-MS assay in single-ion monitoring mode. The study was conducted on 64 male rats divided into eight groups: I, controls; II, rats received high-fat diet (HFD), III, rats received ω-6-enriched HFD; IV, rats received ω-3-enriched HFD; V, rats received celecoxib with HFD; VI, rats received safranal with HFD; VII and VIII, rats received celecoxib and safranal with ω-3 HFD, respectively. GC-MS Gas chromatography Mass spectrometry was performed for analysis of fatty acid methyl ester. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) concentrations. A statistically significant decrease of AA-to-EPA ratio was observed in group VII when compared with the groups receiving HFDs. This group also showed the lowest serum IL-6 level and highest TGF-β1 level. In conclusion, ω3-enriched diet along with drugs (e.g. celecoxib) and herbal medications (e.g. safranal) may have an anti-inflammatory effect in lipotoxicity. GC-MS with single-ion monitoring is valid for the analysis of FAs.

Altered regulation of vitamin D metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D), was observed in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. We hypothesized that these HFD-induced changes in vitamin D metabolism would be reversed by decreasing fat mass through dietary intervention. Four-week-old C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental diet groups: (1) the LL group was fed a control diet for 31 weeks, (2) the HH group was fed an HFD for 31 weeks, and (3) the HL group was fed HFD for 15 weeks then switched to the control diet for the remaining 16 weeks. The fat mass of the HL group decreased by 15% from the 14th to the 30th week. Serum 1,25(OH)2D level was significantly higher in the HH group than the LL group, whereas that of the HL group was intermediate to the 2 groups. Serum parathyroid hormone and renal 1-hydroxylase (Cyp27b1) mRNA levels, which are known to stimulate renal 1,25(OH)2D production, were significantly higher in the HH group than the LL group. After losing fat mass, the HL group had significantly lower renal Cyp27b1 mRNA levels than the HH group. No differences were found in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and mRNA levels of hepatic 25-hydroxylases. In adipose tissue, mRNA levels of 25-hydroxylase and vitamin D receptor were elevated in parallel to the adiposity. In conclusion, serum 1,25(OH)2D levels were closely associated with body adiposity, and reducing fat mass by changing to a lower-fat diet can reverse this obesity-associated increase in circulating 1,25(OH)2D levels.

In this study, we evaluated the ameliorative potential of Cucurbita maxima seeds oil (CSO (100 mg/kg body weight)) supplementation to high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats for 30 days on the changes in body weight, markers of lipid metabolism such as LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin, amylase, and lipase. We also investigated the effects of CSO on the changes of lipid metabolic enzymes such as fatty-acid synthase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, HMG CoA reductase, and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6). Administration of CSO revealed significant diminution in body weight gain, altered the activity, expressions of lipid marker enzymes and inflammatory markers. It demonstrated that CSO had considerably altered these parameters when evaluated with HFD control rats. In conclusion, this study suggested that CSO might ameliorate the HFD-induced obesity by altering the enzymes and mRNA expressions important to lipid metabolism.

Deltamethrin is a commonly used pesticide for the control of mosquito populations. Despite widespread use, the effects of deltamethrin on adiposity and glucose homeostasis have been equivocal with some studies showing increased, decreased and no effect on adiposity and glycemic control. However, no study to date has investigated the effect of deltamethrin in mice housed at thermoneutral temperatures, which is important for modelling metabolic diseases in rodents due to reduced thermal stress and constitutive activation of brown adipose tissue. In the current study we demonstrate for the first time that deltamethrin reduces uncoupling protein-1 expression in brown adipocytes cultured in vitro at concentrations as low as 1pm. Meanwhile, in-vivo deltamethrin does not appear to alter glycemic control or promote adiposity at exposures equivalent to 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg/day. Together, our study demonstrates environmentally relevant exposure to deltamethrin does not exacerbate diet induced obesity or insulin resistance.

Background Bile acid binding resin (BAR) absorbs intestinal bile acids, and improves obesity and metabolic disorders, but the precise mechanism remains to be clarified. Recent findings reveal that obesity is associated with skewed intestinal microbiota. Thus, we investigated the effect of BAR on intestinal microbiota and the role of microbiota in the prevention of obesity in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Procedures Male Balb/c mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with BAR (HFD+BAR), and then metabolic parameters, caecal microbiota, and metabolites were investigated. The same interventions were conducted in germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice. Main findings The frequency of Clostridium leptum subgroup was higher in both HFD-fed and HFD+BAR-fed mice than in LFD-fed mice. The frequency of Bacteroides-Prevotella group was lower in HFD-fed mice than in LFD-fed mice, but the frequency was higher in HFD+BAR-fed mice than in HFD-fed mice. Caecal propionate was lower in HFD-fed mice than in LFD-fed mice, and higher in HFD+BAR-fed mice than in HFD-fed mice. HFD+BAR-fed mice showed lower adiposity than HFD-fed mice, and the reduction was not observed in germ-free or antibiotic-treated mice. Colonized germ-free mice showed a reduction in adiposity by BAR administration. Energy expenditure was lower in HFD-fed mice and higher in HFD+BAR-fed mice, but the increments induced by administration of BAR were not observed in antibiotic-treated mice. Conclusions Modulation of intestinal microbiota by BAR could be a novel therapeutic approach for obesity.

Background/Aims: The roots of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae) have long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of diabetes and diabetes-related diseases. 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycycyclohexa-2,5-1,4-dione (DMDD) has been isolated from A. carambola L. roots, and this study was carried out to investigate the potential beneficial effects of DMDD on obesity and insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed a HFD for 16 weeks and orally administered DMDD (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg of body weight per day) and metformin (280 mg/kg of body weight per day) for the last 4 weeks. Results: The body weights and adipose tissue weights as well as the serum levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, insulin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly decreased by DMDD, and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor (Myd88) in the epididymal adipose tissue was downregulated by DMDD. In contrast, insulin sensitivity was enhanced. The results of the glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, and insulin release tests indicated that there was a marked improvement in insulin secretion, and the areas under the curve corresponding to the three tests were also significantly decreased by DMDD. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were simultaneously enhanced, whereas the content of malondialdehyde was decreased by DMDD in the liver homogenates of the C57BL/6J mice. In addition, hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy, as assessed by H&E staining of liver and adipose tissues, were significantly improved by DMDD. Conclusion: These data suggest that MDD has potential benefits for the treatment of HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance, and its effects may be associated with improvements in lipid metabolism and inhibition of the expression of TLR4 in adipose tissues.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of resistant starch from green banana (GB) on steatosis and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) production in high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. High-fat green banana group (HFB) exhibited lower gains in BM (body mass; -6%; P 0.01) compared with High-fat diet group (HF). Additionally, HFB mice showed reduction in liver steatosis (-28%, P 0.01) with reduction of 93% in hepatic triacylglycerol (P 0.01) compared to HF-diet-fed mice. In addition, the protein abundance of AMPKp/AMPK, HMGCoA-r and FAS were downregulated in livers of HFB mice (P 0.01), relatively to the HF-diet-fed mice. ABCG8 and ABCG5 were up-regulated in HFB group compared to HF group (P 0.01). Furthermore, the HFB fed-mice produced the highest amount of SCFAs (p 0.05) compared to its counterpart HFD. In conclusion, we demonstrated that resistant starch from GB improved metabolic parameters by modulating the expression of key proteins involved in liver lipid metabolism.

Mesona chiensis Benth. is a natural and safe pharmaceutical ingredient with many nutrients and special medical functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevention and treatment effect of ethanol extract from Mesona chiensis Benth. on the plasma lipid concentration of high fat diet-induced obesity mice. Male white mice (Mus musculus) 5 - 6 weeks of age were fed a high-fat diet including standard pellets (65% in weight) and boiled lard (35% in weight) for 6 weeks model obese mice. The study was divided into 2 periods: the prevention period for 4 weeks and the treatment period for 15 days. Prevention group (normal-weight mice) received ethanol extract of Mesona chinensis Benth. (400 mg/kg bw) and be fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Treatment group (obese mice) received ethanol extract of Mesona chinensis Benth. (400 mg/kg bw) and be fed a high-fat diet for 15 days. The finding of the present investigation showed that mice fed a high-fat diet had significantly higher levels of TC, TG and TC/HDL-C compared to those in mice fed a normal diet. Body weight (bw) was significantly and positively correlated to TG (r = 0.53, P < 0.05) and TC (r = 0.33, P < 0.05) levels. After 4 weeks of receiving ethanol extract of Mesona chinensis Benth., the TG concentration and TC/HDL-C of the prevention group were significantly lower than those of the control group. After 15 days of treatment with obese mice, no statistically significant differences in blood lipid concentrations were observed compared with mice receiving fenofibrat and NaCl. In conclusion, ethanol extract of Mesona chinensis Benth. has the effect of preventing hyperlipidemia in mice fed a high-fat diet. Keywords Mesona chiensis Benth., hypolipidemic, high fat diet, obesity mice. References [1] A.D. Smith, S.P. Datta, G.H. 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Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, chronic diseases and cancer. Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, high ectopic lipid levels and meta-inflammation are the mechanisms proposed to play a leading role in the morbidity associated with obesity. Energy restriction mimetics (ERMAs) has also been shown earlier to reduce the scale and the severity of these disorders by mimicking the physiological effects of the Energy Restriction. In present study we propose that the use of 2-DG as ERMA can be effective in regulating the High Fat Diet (HFD) induced obesity. Effect of 2-DG (0.4% w/v in drinking water) on the HFD and Insulin Resistance (IR). HFD induced change in body weight, adipose tissue mass, and ectopic lipid levels was assessed as the measure of obesity.IR and glucose levels were also estimated to evaluate the effect of 2-DG on the insulin sensitivity in HFD mice. 2-DG significantly altered HFD induced increase in the mice body weight, epididymal White Adipose Tissue (WAT) and liver weight. 2-DG fed mice also showed reduced lipid levels in serum and liver. Furthermore, 2-DG also reduced the oxidative damage in the liver with concomitant increase in enzymatic (SOD and Catalase) and non-enzymatic (reduced Glutathione) antioxidant levels. 2-DG fed mice also showed reduced levels of Leptin, IL-6 and TGF-β which are early drivers of the etiology of the metabolic diseases. Our results suggest that 2-DG as ERMA can prevent obesity and etiology of associated disorders. However, more relevant models are needed to further strengthen these observation

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The variations in the contents of tea catechins and free amino acids in relation to the quality of Fenghuang Oolong teas (FOT) were determined. It demonstrated that in FOT, which were grown at a high altitude, the contents of methylated estered tea catechins were relatively higher. By human flora-associated (HFA) mice model, the effect of FOT on high-fat diet-induced obesity was investigated by high-throughput sequencing. The shifts in relative abundance of the dominant taxa at the phylum, family and genus levels showed their dramatically effects. A large increase in Bacteroidetes with decrease of Firmicutes was observed after the administration of FOT for 8 weeks. Together, these results suggest that FOT are rich in tea catechins, especially O-methylated tea catechin derivatives, which may be affected by the unique growth environment, and FOT may have prebiotic-like activity and can be used as functional food components in manipulating intestinal microbiota.

Rice bran unsaponifiable matter (USM) was prepared by the saponification method and contained 1,635 mg of tocopherols and tocotrienols, 5,514 mg of policosanols, 36,425 mg of phytosterols, and 2,968 mg of oryzanols per 100 g of USM. Mice were divided into five groups: a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with 10, 20 and 50 mg USM/kg body weight/day group. After 6 weeks, the administration of USM at doses of 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg reduced the body weight gain, food efficiency ratio and size of the epididymal fat tissue compared with those in the HFD group. In addition, the serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level as well as the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor were also reduced in the USM fed groups compared with those in the HFD group. These findings suggest that USM from rice bran may have excellent hypolipidemic potential to prevent obesity. Practical Applications Rice bran unsaponifiable matter (USM) contains a variety of functional compounds. This study investigated the hypolipidemic effects of USM from rice bran in high-fat diet-fed mice. The result of this study suggested that rice bran USM was beneficial in preventing the development of hyperlipidemia. The use of rice bran USM may have implications for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Obesity has been suggested to be related to high intake of fat and low intake of fiber. Here we show the effect of oat β-glucan, a water soluble dietary fiber, in preventing high-fat diet induced obesity in human flora-associated (HFA) mice. HFA mice fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks, significantly increased body weight, epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissue weight compared with HFA mice in normal diet group (p

Stellaria dichotoma L.is widely distributed in Ningxia and surrounding areas in northwestern China. Its root, Radix Stellariae (RS), has been used in herbal formulae for treating asthenic-fever, infection, malaria, dyspepsia in children and several other symptoms. This study investigated whether the RS extract (RSE) alleviates metabolic disorders. The results indicated that RSE significantly inhibited body weight gain in high-fat (HF)-diet-fed C57BL/6 mice, reduced fasting glucose levels, and improved insulin tolerance. Moreover, RSE increased the body temperature of the mice and the expression of uncoupling proteins and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the white adipose tissue. Thus, RSE alleviated metabolic disorders in HF-diet-fed C57BL/6 mice by potentially activating UCP and PPAR signaling.

Background Obesity has deleterious effects on the brain, and metabolic dysfunction may exacerbate the outcomes of seizures and brain injuries. However, it is unclear whether obesity affects excitotoxicity-induced neuronal cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of kainic acid (KA)-treated mice. Results Mice were fed with a HFD or normal diet for 8 weeks and then received a systemic injection of KA. HFD-fed mice showed hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. HFD-fed mice showed greater susceptibility to KA-induced seizures, an increased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we found that KA treatment increased HFD-induced calpain1, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the hippocampus. Conclusions These findings imply that complex mechanisms affected by obesity-induced systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, ER stress, calcium overload, and oxidative stress may contribute to neuronal death after brain injury. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12868-015-0202-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

It has previously been demonstrated that HCY2, an ursolic acid-enriched fraction derived from Cynomorii Herba, induced mitochondrial uncoupling in heart, liver and kidney tissues of rats. In the present study, we investigated whether HCY2 co-treatment can reduce the body weight in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice by virtue of mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle. The results showed that HCY2 co-treatment significantly reduced the body weight gain and white fat pads in HFD-fed mice. The weight reduction effect of HCY2 was associated with the induction of mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle, amelioration of HFD-induced hyperglycaemia and impairment in glucose tolerance as well as dyslipidaemia and fatty liver in HFD-fed mice. It is likely that HCY2 reduces body weight by increasing energy expenditure, presumably via mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle. HCY2 may therefore offer a promising prospect in preventing obesity and the associated metabolic syndrome and health consequences.

Background The metabolic complications due to increased incidence of obesity, is now recognized as a major public health problem. In current era herbal medicine has been recognised as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of several clinical implications. Objectives The current investigation is aimed to explore the anti-obesity effects pertaining to Betula utilis (BU) ethanolic extract in high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and hyperlipidemic rat model. Methods Experimental obesity was developed in the male rats by administering HFD for 10 weeks. Initial and final body weight, Lee index, Body mass index (BMI), fat pads weight, serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and various lipoproteins were estimated in the current study. Results After four week of HFD treatment, BU (100–400 mg/kg/day p.o) was given along with high fat diet for further 6 weeks which significantly reduced HFD induced body weight gain and increase in adipose tissue mass in a dose dependant manner. Moreover, BU attenuated HFD induced augmented serum glucose, TG and TC. The anti-obesity potential of BU was comparable to a well established marketed drug orlistat. Conclusion These results reflect that BU supplementation decreases body weight, improves obesity serum biomarkers (TG, TC, LDL), and the weight reducing activity of BU may be mediated by decreased fat absorption from the GIT.

Purpose Obesity is one of the rising health problems and has become a major concern with highest prevalent global epidemiology. Various evidences suggest that the action or effect of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), which acts as a satiety signal may be impaired in obese subjects. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is the principal enzyme that metabolizes GLP-1 and sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor which prevents the breakdown of GLP-1. Thus the purpose of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effect of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor on body weight gain, adiposity and biochemical anomalies in rats. Materials and methods In the present study chronic administration of sitagliptin (10, 20 and 40 mcg/kg/day p.o) for 6 weeks along with high fat diet to the obese rats which were pretreated with high fat diet feeding for 4 weeks on the various parameters of obesity were analyzed. Their effects on body weight, feed intake (kcal), weight and size of fat pads, levels of serum glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL) and low density lipoprotein were analyzed. Results Treatment with sitagliptin (10, 20 and 40 mcg/kg/day p.o) produced significant dose dependent decrease (p

Background: Herbal medicine has been used for the treatment of obesity. Obesity is a very common global health problem, and it is known to be linked to metabolic diseases. Objective: To investigate on the anti-obesity effects of herbal medicines such as Rehmanniae radix (RR), Citrus unshiu peel (CUP), and Poria cocos wolf (PCW) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or an HFD for 6 weeks, and herbal medicines were administered orally three times a week for 8 weeks. Serum biochemical parameters were detected by measuring glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. In addition, histological changes were observed in epididymal adipose tissues. Results: The RR, CUP, and PCW effectively lowered both the body weight and epididymal adipose tissue weight and reduced the adipocyte enlargement. In addition, we examined the serum biochemical profiles of HFD-induced obese mice to confirm the anti-obesity effects of RR, CUP, and PCW. Compared to the ND mice, the administration of RR, CUP, and PCW efficiently reduced the glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol serum levels in HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the herbal medicines, such as RR, CUP, and PCW, are potential novel agents for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases, especially obesity.

Obesity-induced vascular inflammation is an early pathological change for the development of diabetic nephropathy. Studies have previously demonstrated that high fat diet (HFD) treatment decreased cytochrome P450 epoxygenase-mediated epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) production which in turn triggers vascular dysfunction and renal inflammation. We hypothesize that HFD up-regulates let-7b miRNA to decrease epoxgenase-mediated EETs production triggering vascular dysfunction and renal injury. Injection of let-7b mimetic has let-7b (1 nmol/day i.v) into rats decreased renal and hepatic cyp2c23 and cyp2j epoxygenases expression (P< 0.05). To determine whether high fat diet up-regulates let-7b to decrease EETs production, we use sEH gene (Ephx2) knock-out mice (KO) as a model for high EETs availability as EETs are rapidly hydrolyzed by the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to less active metabolites. WT and Ephx2 (-/-) mice were fed normal (ND, 14% fat) or HFD (60 % fat) for 3 months. HFD treatment was associated with 2 fold up-regulation of renal let-7b miRNA and this effect was coincided with down-regulation of cyp2c44 and cyp2j epoxygenases and decreased EETs levels. Decreased EETs levels in HFD fed rats was also associated with significant podocyte loss and elevation in podocalyxin excretion (56±4 ng/day) when compared to rats fed ND (33±7 ng/day) and these changes were significantly reduced in Ephx2 (-/-) mice. Furthermore, HFD treatment markedly elevated T helper cells expressing inflammatory IL-17 (CD3+CD4+TH17+) and decreased anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD3+CD4+FOXP3+) when compared to ND and these changes were also significantly attenuated in Ephx2 (-/-) mice. In-vitro, treatment of cultured glomerular endothelial cells with palmitate (200 μM) for 48 hours increased let-7b miRNA expression and decreased cyp2J mRNA and the tight junction protein ZO-1 expression levels and these changes were significantly reduced by transfecting cells with let-7b inhibitor (50 nM). Our data suggest that up-regulation of let-7b miRNA decreases epoxygenase-mediated EETs production to trigger vascular dysfunction and inflammation in the kidney of obese mice via shifting T cells polarization to favor inflammatory Th17 cells activation.

This study aimed to validate the anti-obesity effect of okara, a soyfood byproduct, in diet induced obese mice. Thirty two C57BL/6J male 4 week old mice were divided into four dietary groups (n=8) fed either normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HD), HD with 10% okara (OL), or HD with 20% okara (OH) for 12 weeks. Body weight gain and epididymal fat weight of OL and OH group were significantly lower than HD group. Similarly, the serum and hepatic lipid profiles in OH were significantly lower than HD group. The fecal triacylglycerol and TC levels in OL and OH increased compared to HD. Also, the expression of PPAR-α was higher in OH than HD group; PPAR-γ and FAS levels were lower in OH compared to HD. In this study, okara consumption appears to protect mice against diet induced obesity (DIO) and metabolic dysregulation related to obesity.

Previously, we showed that high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity altered expression of vitamin D metabolizing enzymes resulting in higher serum 1,25(OH)2D levels. In the current study, we determined ...

The rapid epidemiological progression of obesity worldwide has been associated with increased consumption of diets, rich in fat and sugar. Mediterranean diets rich in resveratrol are associated with reduced risk of obesity and oxidative stress. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol on high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and oxidative stress changes in rabbits. Thirty rabbits divided into six groups of five animals each were used for the experiment: Group 1 = control (C), Group 2 = high fat diet (HFD) only, Group 3 = resveratrol 200 mg/kg (R200), Group 4 = resveratrol 400 mg/kg (R400), Group 5 = HFD + R200 and group 6 = HFD + R400. After four weeks of treatment, the HFD group showed significant (P 0.05) increase in body weight of the animals, when compared with the groups co- administered with resveratrol and high-fat diet, and resveratrol alone groups. Activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) decreased significantly (P 0.05) in the HFD groups co-administered with resveratrol when compared with HFD group only. In conclusion, administration of HFD to rabbits increased body weight and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities which were mitigated by resveratrol administration.

Objective: To investigate the synergistic effect of Commiphora mukul (gum resin) and Lagenaria siceraria (fruit) extracts in high fat diet induced obese rats. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into seven groups: (i) non-obese control (NOB), (ii) Obese control (OB), (iii) orlistat (50 mg/ kg; p.o. ), (iv) ethyl acetate extract of Commiphora mukul (gum resin) (200 mg/kg; p.o. ), (v) ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria (fruit) (200 mg/kg; p.o. ) were examined individually, (vi) C. mukul and L.siceraria (200 mg/kg; p.o. ) and (vii) C. mukul and L.siceraria (400 mg/kg; p.o. )extracts were administered in combination to the high fat-diet-induced obese rats for 30 days to evaluate its synergistic activity. Results: For synergistic effect, after combination treatment caused most significant (P

Obesity is a major health problem showing increased incidence in developed and developing countries. We examined the effect of Euphausia pacifica (E. pacifica) (Pacific Krill) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice. No significant differences were observed in average food intake between the HFD and HFD with E. pacifica group, or the low-fat diet (LFD) and LFD with E. pacifica group for 18 weeks. The increased ratio of body weight in the HFD containing E. pacifica group was significantly reduced, being 10% lower than that with HFD group in the 18th week (HFD, 298.6±18.8% vs. HFD with E. pacifica, 267.8±16.2%; p