Abstract
BackgroundWe have previously shown that intraperitoneal injection of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 20–30 nm) into mice, decreases high-fat diet (HFD) induced weight gain and glucose intolerance, via suppression of inflammatory responses in both fat and liver tissues. This study investigates whether AuNPs provide similar benefit to mice with pre-existing obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a HFD for 15 weeks. AuNPs (OB-EAu 0.0785 μg/g/day, OB-LAu 0.785 μg/g/day, OB-HAu7.85 μg/g/day, ip) were administered to subgroups of HFD-fed mice over the last 5 weeks. Control group was fed standard chow and administered vehicle injection.ResultsOnly the OB-LAu group demonstrated significant weight loss (12%), while all AuNP treated groups showed improved glycaemic control and reduced blood lipid levels. In the fat tissue, mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory markers were unchanged following AuNP treatment, while glucose and lipid metabolic markers were improved in OB-LAu and OB-HAu mice. In the liver, AuNP treatment downregulated inflammatory markers and improved lipid metabolic markers, with marked effects in OB-EAu and OB-LAu groups.ConclusionsAuNP treatment can improve glucose and fat metabolism in mice with long-term obesity, however weight loss was only observed in a single specific dose regime. AuNP therapy is a promising new technology for managing metabolic disorders in the obese.
Highlights
We have previously shown that intraperitoneal injection of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 20–30 nm) into mice, decreases high-fat diet (HFD) induced weight gain and glucose intolerance, via suppression of inflammatory responses in both fat and liver tissues
As we have previously published, mice placed on a high fat diet (HFD) resulting in obesity, have increased macrophage activity along with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia, and liver steatosis [13]
It was found that daily AuNP injections in mice with existing obesity can significantly improve their lipid and glycaemic control, a significant weight loss effect was only observed for a specific dose regime
Summary
We have previously shown that intraperitoneal injection of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, 20–30 nm) into mice, decreases high-fat diet (HFD) induced weight gain and glucose intolerance, via suppression of inflammatory responses in both fat and liver tissues. Chen et al J Nanobiotechnol (2018) 16:88 and infiltration of circulating macrophages are the key to excess storage of lipids and drive pro-inflammatory responses via their secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g. TNFα and IL-6 [11, 12] The latter has significant implications in insulin resistance in multiple organs, including both fat tissue and liver. As we have previously published, mice placed on a high fat diet (HFD) resulting in obesity, have increased macrophage activity along with insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hyperlipidaemia, and liver steatosis [13]
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