Abstract
Allium hookeri (AH) is widely consumed as a herbal medicine. It possesses biological activity against metabolic diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of AH root water extract (AHR) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. AHR inhibited lipid accumulation during adipocyte differentiation by downregulation of gene expression, such as hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and an adipogenic gene, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Oral administration of AHR significantly suppressed body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, serum leptin levels, and adipocyte cell size in HFD-induced obese mice. Moreover, AHR significantly decreased hepatic mRNA expression levels of cholesterol synthesis genes, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor (SREBP)-2, and low-density lipoprotein receptor, as well as fatty acid synthesis genes, such as SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase. Serum triglyceride levels were also lowered by AHR, likely as a result of the upregulating gene involved in fatty acid β-oxidation, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a, in the liver. AHR treatment activated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, which might have promoted HSL and LPL-medicated lipolysis, thereby reducing white adipose tissue weight. In conclusion, AHR treatment can improve metabolic alterations induced by HFD in mice by modifying expression levels of genes involved in adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis in the white adipose tissue and liver.
Highlights
Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which can lead to metabolic diseases, and is a concern that is growing in prevalence worldwide [1]
AH root water extract (AHR) treatment can improve metabolic alterations induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in mice by modifying expression levels of genes involved in adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis in the white adipose tissue and liver
AHR suppressed gene expression involved in adipogenesis (C/EBP-hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analyses (Figure 1D)
Summary
Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, which can lead to metabolic diseases, and is a concern that is growing in prevalence worldwide [1]. An imbalance between energy intake and expenditure results in adipose tissue enlargement due to excessive lipogenesis and scanty lipolysis [3]. WAT is a complex organ that secretes various endocrine factors such as adiponectin, estrogen, leptin, and an array of cytokines. It plays a central role in energy homeostasis control [4]. Excessive fat accumulation in the adipose tissue results in obesity-associated metabolic complications [3]. Lipolysis refers to the degradation of triglyceride (TG) to yield FFA and glycerol. It can be induced by lipase, such as adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL)
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