Abstract
To elucidate the inhibiting mechanisms of fat accumulation by catechins, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), ICR mice were fed diets containing either 0.3% catechins or 0.1% EGCG and/or 0.05% caffeine for 4 weeks. After the feeding, intraperitoneal adipose tissues weights were significantly lower in the caffeine, catechins + caffeine, and EGCG + caffeine groups compared to controls. Hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in the catechins + caffeine group was significantly lower, and the activities of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-II (CPT-II) were significantly higher, compared to the control group. However, these activities were not observed in the other groups. FAS mRNA expression levels in the catechins + caffeine group were significantly lower than in the control group. ACO and CPT-II mRNA levels were not different among all of the treatment groups. These findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of fat accumulation via a combination of catechins, EGCG, or caffeine were stronger collectively than by either catechins, EGCG, or caffeine alone. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the combination of catechins and caffeine induced inhibition of fat accumulation by suppression of fatty acid synthesis and upregulation of the enzymatic activities involved in β-oxidation of fatty acid in the liver, but this result was not observed by combination of EGCG and caffeine.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome has become a serious health problem in advanced countries, and emphasis has been placed on reducing obesity, which is believed to be the main cause of metabolic syndrome
It was demonstrated that the combination of catechins and caffeine induced inhibition of fat accumulation by suppression of fatty acid synthesis and upregulation of the enzymatic activities involved in β-oxidation of fatty acid in the liver, but this result was not observed by combination of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and caffeine
We proposed that the combination of catechins and caffeine may have a stronger effect on hepatic lipid metabolism than either alone, since catechins and caffeine appear to be synergistic in their inhibitory effects of fat accumulation
Summary
Metabolic syndrome has become a serious health problem in advanced countries, and emphasis has been placed on reducing obesity, which is believed to be the main cause of metabolic syndrome. It was found that green tea and its components, catechins, caffeine, and theanine, have suppressive effects on fat accumulation. Sayama et al reported that an administration of a diet containing 2% green tea powder suppressed body weight gain and endoceliac fat accumulation and decreased triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the liver, as well as TG in serum, without reducing food intake in mice [1]. It was shown that catechins and caffeine together had similar inhibitory effects of fat accumulation as green tea [2]. It was suggested that the combination of catechins and caffeine might be the most effective of all green tea components in suppressing fat accumulation
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 call
