Reduced Body Fat Accumulation Research Articles

Novel derivatives of capsaicin as a potent hypolipidemic and anti-obesity agent.

Capsaicin is a natural product with multiple biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, weight loss, anti-cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. However, its further applications have been limited by its strong irritation, poor water solubility, and unsatisfied pharmacological effects. To ameliorate the problem, a series of derivatives of capsaicin and its analogues were designed and synthesized. Three candidate compounds (HJ-1-3, HJ-1-4, HJ-1-6) have shown the potential to reduce body fat accumulation and lose weight on different indicators with biological evaluation in vitro and in vivo.

Virgin flaxseed oil supplemented or not with tocopherols and phytosterols prevents liver steatosis induced by high‐fat diets in male Wistar rats

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effect of a virgin flaxseed oil (FO) rich in n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, supplemented or not with a bioactive supplement (BS) containing tocopherols and phytosterols on the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a high‐fat (HF) animal model. Male Wistar rats were fed 60 days with a recommended (SO7, soybean oil 7%) or an HF diet (fat, 30%) containing soybean (SO30), corn (CO30), or FO (FO30) or the same oils supplemented with 1% of BS (SO30BS, CO30BS, or FO30BS, respectively). Hepatic and dietary FA composition, triacylglycerides (TAGs) content in serum and liver, nutritional parameters, in vivo TAG‐secretion rate, liver histology, mRNA levels of β‐oxidation‐related genes, and carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐1a (CPT‐1a) enzyme activity were determined. At HF levels, FO30 and FO30BS groups showed the highest total n − 3 PUFA levels in diets and were associated with lower weight gain, liver TAG content, and microsteatosis degree. The CPT‐1a activity was enhanced in FO30 and FO30BS, showing differences only by the type of dietary oil. The BS supplementation induced an increase in the β‐oxidation‐related gene expression. Virgin FO prevented liver steatosis and hepatomegaly induced by HF diets. The BS supplementation reduced body fat accumulation and enhanced expression of β‐oxidation related genes, without affecting hepatic TAG content.Practical Applications: Scientific knowledge of functional lipids with high oxidative stability and biological activity has great practical application in reducing non‐communicable chronic diseases. This study provides evidence on the potential synergic and complementary effects of virgin FO, TP, and PS to be used for the prevention of the metabolic hepatic disorders involved during the evolution of the different steps of NAFLD. Specifically, based on different biological mechanisms, this stable combination of bioactive lipids could prevent not only the development of exacerbated hepatic TAG accumulation but also the hepatocellular injury seen at different stages from hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis.

Effectiveness of standardized red orange extract (Citrus sinensis) for weight reduction in canine obesity

Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in both humans and dogs, currently characterized as a low-intensity inflammatory state. The anthocyanins found in red oranges can assist in combating weight gain and reducing body fat accumulation by reducing lipogenesis and modulating inflammation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of standardized dried red orange extract in reducing overweight in obese dogs compared to chromium picolinate and a placebo. In total, 23 animals were used in the current study and divided randomly into three experimental groups. All dogs received the same hypocaloric diet and supplementation: standardized Citrus sinensis red-orange extract (G1, n=9), chromium picolinate (G2, n=7), and a placebo-control group (G3, n=7). The dogs were managed by their owners for 90 days. In the distribution of the body condition score (BCS) determined at the beginning of the study, 47.8% of the animals had BCS of 6; 26.1% had BCS of 7; 8.7% had BCS of 8, and 17.4% had BCS of 9. During the program, most of the owners reported being unable to involve other residents of their households in the dogs' treatment. At the end of the experiment, the G1 group had a significant reduction in weight and BCS (p<0.01), as well as in HDL cholesterol levels (p<0.05) when compared to the other groups. It was concluded that incorporating dried red-orange extract into the diet of overweight and obese dogs can lead to weight loss and improved BCS.

Effects of high dietary chicken protein on obesity development of rats fed high-fat diets

This study explored the effects of dietary chicken protein at high (HCK, 40 % E) or normal (CK, 20 % E) levels on obesity development of rats fed high-fat diets. Compared with the CK diet, the HCK diet reduced body weight gain (by 15 %), epididymal adipose tissue mass (by 18.4 %), and adipocyte size (by 18.8 %) significantly without affecting the food intake of rats. It also reduced blood insulin and glycosylated serum protein (GSP) significantly by 45.4 % and 14.3 %, respectively; however, the OGTT and HOMA-IR results were not different. The HCK diet downregulated EAT transcriptomics related to the biosynthesis of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acids, which were highly correlated with the most downregulated hub genes, Insig1, Srebf2, Hmgcs1, and Fasn. Therefore, high dietary chicken protein content reduced body fat accumulation, blood insulin, and GSP, and downregulated EAT transcriptomics related to lipid biosynthesis in rats fed high-fat diets.

Long-Term Whole-Body Vibration Stimulus Decreases Body Fat Accumulation in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a type of light-resistance exercise that involves exposing the body to rapid and repeated oscillations of a vibrating platform. It has been suggested that long-term WBV can improve bone mass and muscle strength. However, little is known about its effects on body composition, and the safety and efficacy of WBV have not been established. In this study, we investigated the effects of WBV on body fat loss and muscle mass maintenance or improvement in male Wistar rats fed standard or high-fat diets. We also aimed to establish a rat model for future nutritional and physiological studies. We conducted two experiments using male Wistar rats that were 3 weeks old. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the vibration group. The rats were fed either a commercial standard diet (Experiment 1) or a high-fat diet (Experiment 2) ad libitum for 8-12 weeks. Our results showed that WBV stimulus dramatically reduced body fat accumulation in rats fed a high-fat diet but not in those fed a standard diet. This suggests that WBV may be particularly effective under dietary conditions that promote obesity. Moreover, WBV increased the mass of several skeletal muscles, which are known to have resistance exercise effects. Our findings indicate that long-term WBV is safe, with no inhibition of growth or feeding. Taken together, our results suggest that WBV may be a promising approach for preventing and treating obesity. Further research is needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and to determine the optimal WBV for maximum benefits.

Effectiveness of "Moro" Blood Orange Citrus sinensis Osbeck (Rutaceae) Standardized Extract on Weight Loss in Overweight but Otherwise Healthy Men and Women-A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a blood orange Citrus sinensis standardized extract from “Moro” cultivar, on weight loss in overweight but otherwise healthy individuals. Anthocyanins and particularly cyanidin 3-glucoside, found in a large variety of fruits including Sicilian blood oranges, can help to counteract weight gain and to reduce body fat accumulation through the modulation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolic pathways. In this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study, all participants (overweight adults aged 20–65 years old) were randomized to receive either Moro blood orange standardized extract or a placebo daily for 6-months. The primary outcome measure was change in body mass and body composition at the end of the study. After 6-months, body mass (4.2% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.015), body mass index (p = 0.019), hip (3.4 cm vs. 2.0 cm, p = 0.049) and waist (3.9 cm vs. 1.7 cm, p = 0.017) circumferences, fat mass (p = 0.012) and fat distribution (visceral and subcutaneous fat p = 0.018 and 0.006, respectively) were all significantly better in the extract supplemented group compared to the placebo (p < 0.05). In addition, all safety markers of liver toxicity were within the normal range throughout the study for both analyzed groups. Concluding, the present study demonstrates that Moro blood orange standardized extract may be a safe and effective option for helping with weight loss when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.

Dietary D-Allulose Reduces Body Fat Accumulation in Rats with and without Medium-Chain Triacylglycerol Supplementation.

d-Allulose (d-psicose) is a rare sugar, that contains no calories and exhibits 70% relative sweetness when compared with sucrose. Recently, several studies have demonstrated the anti-obesity effect of d-allulose, mediated by suppressing lipogenesis and increasing energy expenditure. Medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) are lipids formed by 3 medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) with 6-12 carbon atoms attached to glycerol. MCTs have been expensively studied to reduce body fat accumulation in rats and humans. The anti-obesity effect of MCTs was not confirmed depending on the nutritional conditions because MCT might promote lipogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effects of simultaneous intake of diets containing low (5%) or high (13%) MCTs, with or without 5% d-allulose, on body fat accumulation in rats (Experiment 1). Furthermore, we assessed the interaction between 5% MCT and 5% d-allulose in the diet (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, intra-abdominal adipose tissue weight was significantly greater in the high MCT diet groups than in the commercial diet (control) group. d-Allulose significantly decreased weights of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, carcass fat, and total body fat, however, these weights increased as the amount of MCT added increased. In Experiment 2, d-allulose significantly decreased almost all body fat indicators, and these values were not influenced by the presence or absence of MCT addition. The anti-obesity effect of d-allulose was observed with or without dietary MCT, and no synergistic effect was detected between d-allulose and MCT. These results suggest that d-allulose is a beneficial food ingredient in diets aimed at reducing body fat accumulation. However, further research is required on the synergistic effects between d-allulose and MCTs.

Dietary Dried Sweetspire (Itea) Powder Reduces Body Fat Accumulation in Rats Fed with a High-fat Diet.

Sweetspire (Itea) is the only plant that accumulates rare sugars d-allulose and allitol. However, no reports have indicated that sweetspire has a beneficial physiological activity in mammalians. We have examined the effect of dietary dried sweetspire powder (SP) on body fat accumulation in rats fed with a high-fat diet. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups, the control (C), SP, and rare sugar (RS) groups. The SP diet contained 5% SP (contained 0.4% d-allulose and 0.6% allitol in the diet), and the RS diet contained the same amount of rare sugars as the SP diet. All rats were given free access to the experimental diets for 8 weeks. The percentages of intra-abdominal adipose tissue and total body fat were significantly lower in the SP group than in the C group, suggesting that SP has an anti-obesity effect. Furthermore, this anti-obesity effect may be attributed to the rare sugars in SP.

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Attenuates Fat Accumulation in Obese Mice Fed with a High-Fat Diet, Daphnia magna Supplied with a High Amount of Food, and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity is a significant public health issue. Supplementation with pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) may help prevent obesity by suppressing body fat accumulation. In the current study, we examined the effect of dietary PQQ on the inhibition of fat accumulation in obese mice, Daphnia magna, and adipocyte cells. PQQ significantly attenuated the total body fat and visceral fat volume in the abdominal region of mice. In Daphnia, body fat and body length increased with higher amounts of food; however, PQQ reduced body fat without affecting body growth. PQQ attenuated body fat accumulation under both high-fat and high-calorie consumption conditions. PQQ increased phosphorylation of LKB1 and AMPK, subsequently suppressing lipogenesis in adipocyte cell cultures. PQQ also promoted mitochondrial biogenesis by inducing the nuclear translocation of PGC1α in fat cells. Hence, dietary PQQ could prevent obesity by reducing body fat accumulation via suppressing lipogenesis and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis.

Pleiotropic actions of IP6K1 mediate hepatic metabolic dysfunction to promote nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis

ObjectiveObesity and insulin resistance greatly increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). We have previously discovered that whole-body and adipocyte-specific Ip6k1deletion protects mice from high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance due to improved adipocyte thermogenesis and insulin signaling. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of hepatocyte-specific and whole-body Ip6k1 deletion (HKO and Ip6k1-KO or KO) on liver metabolism and NAFLD/NASH. MethodsBody weight and composition; energy expenditure; glycemic profiles; and serum and liver metabolic, inflammatory, fibrotic and toxicity parameters were assessed in mice fed Western and high-fructose diet (HFrD) (WD: 40% kcal fat, 1.25% cholesterol, no added choline and HFrD: 60% kcal fructose). Mitochondrial oxidative capacity was evaluated in isolated hepatocytes. RNA-Seq was performed in liver samples. Livers from human NASH patients were analyzed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. ResultsHKO mice displayed increased hepatocyte mitochondrial oxidative capacity and improved insulin sensitivity but were not resistant to body weight gain. Improved hepatocyte metabolism partially protected HKO mice from NAFLD/NASH. In contrast, enhanced whole-body metabolism and reduced body fat accumulation significantly protected whole-body Ip6k1-KO mice from NAFLD/NASH. Mitochondrial oxidative pathways were upregulated, whereas gluconeogenic and fibrogenic pathways were downregulated in Ip6k1-KO livers. Furthermore, IP6K1 was upregulated in human NASH livers and interacted with the enzyme O-GlcNAcase that reduces protein O-GlcNAcylation. Protein O-GlcNAcylation was found to be reduced in Ip6k1-KO and HKO mouse livers. ConclusionPleiotropic actions of IP6K1 in the liver and other metabolic tissues mediate hepatic metabolic dysfunction and NAFLD/NASH, and thus IP6K1 deletion may be a potential treatment target for this disease.

Combination of Exercise and Intake of Amino Acid Mixture Synergistically Induces Beige Adipocyte Formation in Mice.

Exercise combined with dietary factors may have significant effects on the suppression of body fat accumulation. Several trials suggest that amino acid mixtures containing alanine, arginine, and phenylalanine (ARF) combined with exercise can significantly reduce body fat accumulation in overweight adults and high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. We therefore hypothesized that combining ARF and exercise would significantly induce beige adipocyte formation and that this would contribute to reducing body weight, whereas administration of ARF or exercise alone would not. Administration of ARF (1 g/kg body weight, daily) combined with exercise (5 sessions per week) for 4 wk significantly induced formation of beige adipocytes in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) in mice, although ARF or exercise alone did not. Metabolomic analysis showed that plasma lactate concentration was significantly elevated in the exercise+ARF group relative to the exercise group. Furthermore, lactate dehydrogenase B, which increases redox stress by converting lactate to pyruvate in iWAT and triggers induction of uncoupling protein 1 expression was significantly upregulated in iWAT of the exercise+ARF group. These findings demonstrate the unique effect of ARF combined with exercise for inducing beige adipocyte formation, which may be associated with the suggested lactate-mediated pathway. Appropriate mixtures of amino acids could be used as a dietary supplement before exercise and contributed to increasing energy expenditures.

3,5-Diiodo-L-Thyronine (T2) Administration Affects Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammatory State in Rats Receiving Long-Lasting High-Fat Diet.

3,5-diiodo-thyronine (T2), an endogenous metabolite of thyroid hormones, exerts beneficial metabolic effects. When administered to overweight rats receiving a high fat diet (HFD), it significantly reduces body fat accumulation, which is a risk factor for the development of an inflammatory state and of related metabolic diseases. In the present study, we focused our attention on T2 actions aimed at improving the adverse effects of long-lasting HFD such as the adipocyte inflammatory response. For this purpose, three groups of rats were used throughout: i) receiving a standard diet for 14 weeks; ii) receiving a HFD for 14 weeks, and iii) receiving a HFD for 14 weeks with a simultaneous daily injection of T2 for the last 4 weeks. The results showed that T2 administration ameliorated the expression profiles of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduced macrophage infiltration in white adipose tissue, influenced their polarization and reduced lymphocytes recruitment. Moreover, T2 improved the expression of hypoxia markers, all altered in HFD rats, and reduced angiogenesis by decreasing the pro-angiogenic miR126 expression. Additionally, T2 reduced the oxidative damage of DNA, known to be associated to the inflammatory status. This study demonstrates that T2 is able to counteract some adverse effects caused by a long-lasting HFD and to produce beneficial effects on inflammation. Irisin and SIRT1 pathway may represent a mechanism underlying the above described effects.

Ingesting Yogurt Containing Lactobacillus plantarum OLL2712 Reduces Abdominal Fat Accumulation and Chronic Inflammation in Overweight Adults in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACTBackgroundChronic inflammation and insulin resistance are factors that are related to obesity. We have suggested that the administration of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum OLL2712 (OLL2712) cells can improve glucose and lipid metabolism by suppressing chronic inflammation in mouse models and a preliminary clinical study.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether ingesting OLL2712 cells can reduce body fat accumulation and improve metabolic risk factors, in overweight, healthy adults.MethodsThis study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial conducted at a single center in Japan. The study participants included 100 overweight (BMI range, ≥25 to <30 kg/m2) adults aged 20–64 y. They were randomly assigned to either the placebo or OLL2712 group (n = 50 each) and were administered conventional yogurt or yogurt containing >5 × 109 heat-treated OLL2712 cells, respectively, daily for 12 wk. The primary outcome was the 12-wk change in the abdominal fat area, as assessed by computed tomography, and the secondary outcomes were glucose and lipid metabolism-related parameters and chronic inflammation markers, which were analyzed using a linear mixed model.ResultsThe 12-wk change of abdominal fat area (difference: 8.5 cm2; 95% CI: 0.3, 16.6 cm2; P = 0.040) and fasting plasma glucose (difference: 3.2 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.8, 5.6 mg/dL; P = 0.021) were significantly less in the OLL2712 group than the placebo group. The overall trend of serum IL-6 was significantly decreased in the OLL2712 group compared with baseline and the placebo group.ConclusionsThe ingestion of heat-treated OLL2712 cells reduces body fat accumulation and the deterioration of glycemic control and chronic inflammation, in overweight, healthy adults. We hypothesize that OLL2712 cells may prevent obesity by regulating chronic inflammation. This trial was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000027709.

Anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 4B15, and its synergy with hydrolysed lactose skim milk powder

In the present study, the anti-obesity effects of probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus 4B15), prebiotic (hydrolysed lactose skim milk powder), and synbiotic (L. rhamnosus 4B15 + hydrolysed lactose skim milk powder) were evaluated. Five-week-old C57BL/6N mice were fed a 45% fat diet (HFD, high-fat diet) to induce obesity. Mice administered phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) served as the control group. The treatments were simultaneously administered for 10 weeks. Consequently, the synbiotic reduced body fat accumulation and liver damage in obese mice, to a greater degree than the corresponding parameters in probiotic- and prebiotic-treated mice. Synbiotic also reduced the expression of genes related to fat synthesis and inflammation in adipose and hepatic cells, compared with the corresponding gene expression in the control group. These results indicate that L. rhamnosus 4B15 combined with hydrolysed lactose skim milk powder exerts anti-obesity effects by downregulating fat synthesis and inflammation.

Daily energy expenditure in rats following structured exercise training is affected by dietary phosphorus content.

P ingestion has been found to alter energy balance, while regular physical exercise (E) was reported to be associated with energy compensation. However, it is not clear whether dietary P would affect energy compensation following structured E. Two experiments were performed, low P (LP) (0·1, 0·2 and 0·3 %P) and high P (HP) (0·3 , 0·6 and 1·2 %P) diets. In each experiment, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n 8), in which a sedentary or a moderate-intensity exercise routine (30 min 5 d a week) was implemented. Energy intake (EI); efficiency and stores; body measures and total energy expenditure (TEEx) were monitored for 6 weeks. In the LP experiment, EI and weight gain were the lowest in the 0·1 and 0·2 %P as compared with the 0·3 %P. In the HP experiment, EI was highest in the high P (0·6 and 1·2 %P) groups, while weight gain was reduced. In both experiments, exercise was able to reduce body fat accumulation and to maintain a higher % lean body mass. In the LP diets experiment, the similarity in TEEx between the sedentary and exercising groups suggests the probability of a reduction in normal daily activities, which indicates the presence of compensation for the energy expended during exercise by a subsequent reduction in EE. In contrast, the elevated TEEx in the HP exercising groups (0·6 and 1·2 %P) argue against the presence of energy compensation. In conclusion, high dietary P decreases the body's capability to compensate for the energy deficit induced by E, consequently maintaining an elevated TEEx.

Short-term Cudrania tricuspidata fruit vinegar administration attenuates obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice by improving fat accumulation and metabolic parameters

Previous studies have suggested that vinegar intake can help to reduce body fat and hyperglycemia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity efficacy of vinegar fermented using Cudrania tricuspidata fruits (CTFV) and its main phenolic constituents and to analyze its molecular mechanism and changes in obesity-related metabolizing enzymatic activities. We found that HFD significantly caused hepatic steatosis; increases in body fats, feed efficiency, liver mass, lipids, insulin, oxidative parameters, cardiovascular-associated risk indices, lipase and α-amylase activities, whereas CTFV efficaciously attenuated HFD-induced oxidant stress, fat accumulation, obesity-related enzymatic activity, and the activation or reduction of obesity-related molecular reactions via improving metabolic parameters including phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein, and fatty acid synthase; and decreases in adiponectin receptor 1, leptin receptor, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, subsequently ameliorating HFD-induced obesity. Therefore, CTFV might provide a functional food resource or nutraceutical product for reducing body fat accumulation.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Macroalgae

Macroalgae have attracted great interest for their potential applications in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries as source of bioactive medicinal products and food ingredients. This review gathers data from in vitro and in vivo studies addressing the anti-obesity effects of macroalgae. Great consensus exists in all reported in vitro studies concerning the reduction induced by seaweed extracts in the expression of transcriptional factors controlling adipogenesis. In animals, macroalgae reduced body fat accumulation and prevented other obesity features, such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and fatty liver. These effects are not due to food intake reduction, since few studies have reported such event. Indeed, the effects on metabolic pathways in target tissues/organs seem to play a more relevant role. Macroalgae can reduce de novo lipogenesis, limiting fatty acid availability for triglyceride synthesis in white adipose tissue. This effect has been observed in both cell cultures and adipose tissue from animals treated with macroalgae extracts. In addition, increased fatty acid oxidation and thermogenic capacity, as well as a shift towards healthier gut microbiota composition may contribute to the body fat-lowering effect of macroalgae. Studies in humans are needed to determine whether macroalgae can represent a feasible tool to prevent and/or manage overweight and obesity.

Enhanced thermal stability of green banana starch by heat-moisture treatment and its ability to reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota

The physicochemical properties (including morphology, pasting, and thermal properties) of resistant starch (RS) in green banana starch were analyzed after the heat-moisture treatment in the presence of citric acid (CAHMT) at different temperatures. Moreover, this study evaluated whether the administration of CAHMT banana starch could reduce body fat accumulation and modulate gut microbiota. Our results demonstrated that the CAHMT process (90 °C) resulted in a higher retention (80.9%) and thermal stability of RS, alteration in the crystalline structure of starch from B-type to A-type, and increased solubility (27.9-fold) and gelatinization temperatures (from 66.26–78.89 °C to 81.48–92.11 °C). A reduction in swelling power (−57.7%) and a loss of pasting viscosity were also noted. Even after a 30 min boil, the retention rate of residual RS (CAHMT at 90 °C) was up to 50% (4.3-fold higher than the control). Rats fed the CAHMT banana starch resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) lower total visceral fat (−18.1%) and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio as well as higher total fecal short chain fatty acids. The CAHMT process at 90 °C enhanced the thermal stability of banana RS allowing a wider range of applications in functional foods.

Dietary carbohydrates modulate metabolic and β-cell adaptation to high-fat diet-induced obesity.

Obesity is associated with several chronic comorbidities, one of which is type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The pathogenesis of obesity and T2DM is influenced by alterations in diet macronutrient composition, which regulate energy expenditure, metabolic function, glucose homeostasis, and pancreatic islet cell biology. Recent studies suggest that increased intake of dietary carbohydrates plays a previously underappreciated role in the promotion of obesity and consequent metabolic dysfunction. Thus, in this study, we utilized mouse models to test the hypothesis that dietary carbohydrates modulate energetic, metabolic, and islet adaptions to high-fat diets. To address this, we exposed C57BL/6J mice to 12 wk of 3 eucaloric high-fat diets (>60% calories from fat) with varying total carbohydrate (1-20%) and sucrose (0-20%) content. Our results show that severe restriction of dietary carbohydrates characteristic of ketogenic diets reduces body fat accumulation, enhances energy expenditure, and reduces prevailing glycemia and insulin resistance compared with carbohydrate-rich, high-fat diets. Moreover, severe restriction of dietary carbohydrates also results in functional, morphological, and molecular changes in pancreatic islets highlighted by restricted capacity for β-cell mass expansion and alterations in insulin secretory response. These studies support the hypothesis that low-carbohydrate/high-fat diets provide antiobesogenic benefits and suggest further evaluation of the effects of these diets on β-cell biology in humans.

Production of Structured Triacylglycerol via Enzymatic Interesterification of Medium‐Chain Triacylglycerol and Soybean Oil Using a Pilot‐Scale Solvent‐Free Packed Bed Reactor

AbstractOils rich in medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols (MLCT) serve as functional oils to help reduce body fat accumulation and weight gain. However, most of the MLCT‐rich products on the market are physical blends of medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols (MCT and LCT, respectively) that are not structured triacylglycerols (TAG). In this study, an efficient pilot‐scale packed bed reactor (PBR) of immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme® TL IM, Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) was employed for producing structured MLCT via 1,3‐specific interesterification of TAG enriched in caprylic and capric acyl groups and soybean oil (SBO). The PBR was operated under continuous recirculation mode in the absence of solvent. Optimal reaction conditions were determined to be: caprylic/capric TAG: SBO ratio (45:55 w/w), reaction temperature (75 °C) and residence time (16.0 min) on MLCT production were studied. When employing a pilot‐scale PBR (100 kg day−1) under optimal conditions, a product containing 76.61 wt% MLCT was produced. Lipozyme TL IM was reused for 25 successive batch reactions (125 kg substrates) with no significant reduction in catalytic efficiency. The light yellow MLCT‐enriched product had a high level of saturated fatty acids (SFA, 82.74 wt%) in its sn‐2 position as a result of the enzyme's 1,3‐positional specificity. One‐stage molecular distillation and methanol extraction were used to remove the free fatty acids, mono‐, and diacylglycerols generated from hydrolysis. With distillation temperature of 150 °C and oil‐to‐methanol ratio of 1:3 v/v, MLCT content was further increased to 80.07 wt%. The enzymatic PBR was therefore effective in producing structured MLCT at a pilot‐scale under solvent‐free conditions.