Anti‐obesity effect of green tea catechin in the uncoupling protein‐2 transgenic mouse

Abstract

In this study, we was evaluated the effects of green tea catechin EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in the transgenic mouse model with uncoupling protein‐2 (UCP‐2)‐Luciferase. UCP‐2 is a mitochondrial membrane transporter, controlling energy expenditure and thermogenesis. UCP‐2 promoter (‐1830/+30 bp) was subcloned into the pGL3‐Basic vector that includes luciferase as a reporter gene. Biologycal activities of dietary polyphenol EGCG were carried out in UCP‐2 transgenic mice. Transgenic mice were fed on a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Subsequently they were maintained on a high‐fat control diet, high‐fat diets supplemented with 0.2% and 0.5% EGCG (w/w) respectively for a further 8 weeks. EGCG diets reduced the body weight and also considerably lowered the levels of plasma triglyceride and leptin. Luciferase activity was significantly increased in the liver, white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue and muscle of UCP‐2 transgenic mice. These results suggest that anti‐obesity effects of green tea catechin EGCG are associated with an increase in the UCP‐2 gene expression, regulating thermogenesis. "This study was supported by the Project of Bio‐Food Research from the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF, M10510130005‐08N1013‐00510)".