Fermented Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity in association with regulation of intestinal permeability and microbiota in rats.

Jing-Hua Wang,Kyung-Sun Han,Hojun Kim,Shambhunath Bose,Hyung-Gu Kim

doi:10.1038/srep08391

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests the anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities of Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM). Here, we evaluated the anti-obesity impact of unfermented (URAM) versus fermented RAM (FRAM) using both in vitro and in vivo models. Both URAM and FRAM exhibited marked anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenic, and anti-obesity activities, and modulation of the gut microbial distribution. However, FRAM, compared to URAM, resulted in more efficient suppression of NO production and normalization of transepithelial electrical resistance in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 and HCT 116 cells, respectively. Compared to URAM, FRAM more effectively reduced the adipose tissue weight; ameliorated the serum triglyceride and aspartate transaminase levels; restored the serum HDL level and intestinal epithelial barrier function in the LPS control group. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia as well as Bacteriodetes/Firmicutes ratio in the gut of the LPS control group was significantly enhanced by both URAM and FRAM. However, FRAM, but not URAM, resulted in a significant increase in the distribution of Bacteriodetes and Lactobacillus in the gut of the HFD + LPS group. Our results suggest that FRAM with probiotics can exert a greater anti-obesity effect than URAM, which is probably mediated at least in part via regulation of the intestinal microbiota and gut permeability.

Highlights

Macrocephalae alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity in association with regulation of intestinal permeability and microbiota in rats
Our results suggest that fermented Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (RAM) (FRAM) with probiotics can exert a greater anti-obesity effect than unfermented RAM (URAM), which is probably mediated at least in part via regulation of the intestinal microbiota and gut permeability
Our results demonstrated that neither URAM nor FRAM at 100 and 200 mg/ml concentrations could produce any significant impact on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in the culture medium or homogenate of both cell types, implying that anti-adipogenic activity of these two formulations is not driven through LPLmediated lipolysis (Fig. S4A–S4D)

Summary

Introduction

Macrocephalae alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity in association with regulation of intestinal permeability and microbiota in rats. Our results suggest that FRAM with probiotics can exert a greater anti-obesity effect than URAM, which is probably mediated at least in part via regulation of the intestinal microbiota and gut permeability. The etiology of obesity is known to be associated with intracellular lipid generation, excessive adipocyte accumulation, and adipose tissue storage in the whole body as a consequence of dysregulation of energy homeostasis[1]. This metabolic disease can readily enhance the risk of death through the onset of several disorders and complications, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, stroke, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and colon cancer, etc.[2]. It has been proposed that increased intestinal permeability may www.nature.com/scientificreports

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