Synbiotics intake improves disturbed metabolism in a rat model of high fat diet-induced obesity; A potential role of adipose tissue browning

Abstract

Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is currently considered a potential therapeutic approach to treat or prevent diet-induced obesity. Synbiotics have protective effects against diet-induced obesity; however, its role in adipose tissue browning has been less investigated. to study the possible effect of synbiotics intake on browning of WAT in obese rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; normal diet (ND) control group, high fat diet (HFD) group, ND group receiving synbiotics, and HFD group receiving synbiotics. After eight weeks, all rats were sacrificed; and samples (blood, WAT, brown adipose tissue, and liver) were collected. Lipid profile, liver enzymes, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin levels were measured. The expression of browning-related genes: uncoupler protein-1 (UCP-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in adipose tissues. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) protein level was measured in serum, adipose and liver tissues, and FGF21 receptor expression was performed by real-time PCR in adipose tissues. ynbiotics intake was associated with improvement in lipid profile, liver enzymes, and insulin sensitivity in HFD rats. Moreover, the intake was associated with higher gene expression of brown adipocyte-specific markers. As for the FGF21 and its receptor, intriguing results were obtained that needs further in-depth studies. synbiotics might protect against diet-induced obesity through induction of thermogenic genes resulting in brown-like adipocyte phenotype in WAT.