The Allium Derivate Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate Exerts Anti-Obesogenic Effects in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Obesity.

Yolanda Sanz,Rebeca Liébana-García,Alberto Baños,Marta Olivares,Enrique Guillamón,Sonia M Rodríguez-Ruano,Isabel Chulia,Verónica Tolosa-Enguís,Lidia Gil-Martínez

doi:10.3390/nu14030440

Abstract

Allium species and their organosulfur-derived compounds could prevent obesity and metabolic dysfunction, as they exhibit immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. Here, we report the anti-obesogenic potential and dose-dependent effects (0.1 or 1 mg/kg/day) of propyl propane thiosulfinate (PTS) in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. The obesogenic diet increased body weight gain and adipocyte size, and boosted inflammatory marker (Cd11c) expression in the adipose tissue. Conversely, PTS prevented these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the higher dose of PTS improved glucose and hepatic homeostasis, modulated lipid metabolism, and raised markers of the thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue. In the colon, the obesogenic diet reduced IL-22 levels and increased gut barrier function markers (Cldn3, Muc2, Reg3g, DefaA); however, the highest PTS dose normalized all of these markers to the levels of mice fed a standard diet. Gut microbiota analyses revealed no differences in diversity indexes and only minor taxonomic changes, such as an increase in butyrate producers, Intestimonas and Alistipes, and a decrease in Bifidobacterium in mice receiving the highest PTS dose. In summary, our study provides preclinical evidence for the protective effects of PTS against obesity, which if confirmed in humans, might provide a novel plant-based dietary product to counteract this condition.

Highlights

Obesity is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, which increases the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as heart failure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes [1]
The morphological changes caused by the obesogenic die5towf 1e5re accom nied by clear increases in the expression of Itgax, coding for CD11c, a marker of M1 m rophages that are infiltrated in the adipose tissue in obesity [24] (Figure 1E)
Our study suggests that propane thiosulfinate (PTS) administration could reverse the changes caused by an obesogenic diet in both IL-22 and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as one of the most plausible mechanisms explaining its protective effect against obesity

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, which increases the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as heart failure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes [1]. Changes in food systems and dietary patterns undoubtedly influenced the epidemiology of obesity In this respect, hypercaloric diets disrupt the energy balance, immune system, and gut microbiome, whereas a balanced, plant-based diet protects from fat deposition and metabolic impairment [5]. Among the bioactive compounds currently stirring interest are the organosulfur compounds obtained from vegetables of the genus Allium—such as onions, garlic, or leeks— synthesized by these plants as a defense mechanism against tissue damage. The fact that these organosulfur compounds have functional properties exerting antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, or antioxidant activities might underlie the century-old folk wisdom that vouches for their beneficial properties [11,12]

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