Abstract
Paramylon (PM), a type of β-glucan, functions like dietary fiber, which has been suggested to exert a protective effect against obesity. We evaluated the potential beneficial effects of PM powder on obesity in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with either 2.5 or 5% PM powder, extracted from Euglena gracilis, for 74 days. Growth parameters, abdominal fat content, serum biochemical markers, hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic mRNA expression were measured. Dietary supplementation with PM resulted in decreased food efficiency ratios and abdominal fat accumulation. Dose-dependent decreases were observed in postprandial glucose levels, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and serum secretary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations. PM supplementation increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) mRNA expression in the liver which is suggested to induce β-oxidation through activation of acyl-coenzyme A oxidase (ACOX), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) and fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) mRNA expression. Changes in fatty acid metabolism may improve lipid and glucose metabolism. In conclusion, a preventive effect against obesity was observed in mice given a PM-enriched diet. The mechanism is suggested to involve a reduction in both serum LDL-cholesterol levels and the accumulation of abdominal fat, in addition to an improvement in postprandial glucose concentration.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome is a world wide problem; it is a medical term referring to lifestyle related risk factors for arteriosclerosis-related diseases [1]
There were no significant differences in final weight and body weight gain in the mice fed differing concentrations of PM; food intake in the 5% PM group was significantly different when compared with the control group (p < 0.05)
We investigated the effects of PM extracted from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 on both lipid and glucose metabolism and abdominal fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice
Summary
Metabolic syndrome is a world wide problem; it is a medical term referring to lifestyle related risk factors for arteriosclerosis-related diseases [1]. Dietary fiber is one of the best candidates for improving the components of metabolic syndrome [2]. Some dietary fibers reduce the postprandial rise in plasma glucose [3], reduce body weight [4], and improve lipid metabolism [5,6]. Dietary fiber is characterized by water solubility and has different functions. Insoluble dietary fiber has shown favorable results in the treatment of irritable bowel disease [7] and induced a significant increase in fecal bulk, a reduction in intestinal transit time, and a significant increase in the frequency of bowel movements in healthy people [8]. Soluble dietary fiber inhibited carbohydrate and lipid digestion, lipid absorption, reduced the postprandial glucose response, and improved serum lipid levels [9]
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