Abstract
Soy isoflavones are bioactive phytoestrogens with known health benefits. Soybean embryo extract (SEE) has been consumed as a source of isoflavones, mainly daidzein, glycitein, and genistein. While previous studies have reported the anti-obesity effects of SEE, this study investigates their molecular mechanisms and the synergistic effects of co-treatment with SEE and enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ). SEE upregulated genes involved in lipolysis and brown adipocyte markers and increased mitochondrial content in differentiated C3H10T1/2 adipocytes in vitro. Next, we use a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model to determine the anti-obesity effect of SEE. Two weeks of single or combined treatment with SEE and EMIQ significantly reduced body weight gain and improved glucose tolerance. Mechanistically, SEE treatment increased mitochondrial content and upregulated genes involved in lipolysis in adipose tissue through the cAMP/PKA-dependent signaling pathway. These effects required a cytosolic lipase adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) expression, confirmed by an adipocyte-specific ATGL knockout mouse study. Collectively, this study demonstrates that SEE exerts anti-obesity effects through the activation of adipose tissue metabolism and exhibits a synergistic effect of co-treatment with EMIQ. These results improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the anti-obesity effects of SEE related to adipose tissue metabolism.
Highlights
Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue and is associated with complex clinical comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease [1,2]
Liberation of free fatty acids requires lipolysis, which is mainly regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activation of cytosolic lipase, including adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) [5]
Neutral lipid staining by BODIPY and intracellular TG assay indicated that Soybean embryo extract (SEE) treatment significantly reduced lipid content in adipocytes (Figure 1A–C)
Summary
Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of adipose tissue and is associated with complex clinical comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease [1,2]. Liberation of free fatty acids requires lipolysis (hydrolysis of TG), which is mainly regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activation of cytosolic lipase, including adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) [5]. Researchers have demonstrated that certain pharmacological or physiological conditions, such as β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) agonist treatment and exposure to cold temperature remodel WAT into BAT-like phenotypes [6]. This plasticity of WAT provides a potential therapeutic target to overcome overweight and obesity by increasing energy expenditure [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
