Suppression Of Fat Accumulation Research Articles

Induction of non‐alcoholic fatty liver is prevented by betaine supplementation in rats

Previous work in this laboratory showed that betaine supplementation inhibited fat accumulation in liver of rats fed a high fat diet. In this study we examined the hepatoprotective mechanism of betaine against induction of non‐alcoholic fatty liver. Male rats were fed a high fat (HF) liquid diet for 3 wks. Betaine (1 % w/v) supplementation reduced the elevation of hepatic triglyceride (TG) significantly while increasing serum total cholesterol and TG levels. The decrease in phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase in fatty liver was blocked by betaine supplementation. The elevated translocation of lipogenic transcription factors, sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c and liver X receptor‐alpha, was normalized in the betaine‐treated rats. The HF diet intake resulted in reduction of betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase expression and elevation of hepatic homocysteine, which was inhibited by betaine. Meanwhile, betaine supplementation increased hepatic apolipoprotein B protein expression, the obligatory platform for assembly of very‐low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and serum phosphatidylcholine, a component of VLDL particles. Taken together, the results suggest that the beneficial effects of betaine against hepatic steatosis may be accounted for by inhibition of lipid synthesis as well as by enhancement of its secretion.

Kaempferol reduces angiopoietin-like protein 4 expression to improve carcass characteristics and meat quality traits in Holstein steers

Previous studies have shown that angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) is a protein that stimulates oxidation of fatty acids and inhibits fat accumulation. Kaempferol is a naturally occurring polyphenol agent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the beneficial effect of kaempferol on carcass characteristics and meat quality in cattle was related to decreased expression of Angptl4. Twenty-seven Holstein steers (Holstein dam×Chinese Yellow sire) (15months of age) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (steers), and two groups of steers treated with kaempferol (0.3 or 0.9%). Ninety days after, kaempferol (0.3 or 0.9%) treatment significantly increased lion eye area, tenderness, backfat thickness, crude fat and expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL); decreased drip loss, shear forcing, and expression of Angptl4. The present results suggest that kaempferol reduces Angptl4 expression to improve carcass characteristics and meat quality traits in Holstein steers.

Zanthoxylum piperitum DC Ethanol Extract Suppresses Fat Accumulation in Adipocytes and High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Regulating Adipogenesis

This study was conducted to determine the anti-obesity effects of Zanthoxylum piperitum DC fruit ethanol extract (ZPE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and obese mice fed a high-fat diet. We evaluated the influence of the addition of ZPE to a high-fat diet on body weight, adipose tissue weight, serum and hepatic lipids in C57BL/6 mice. In addition, adipogenic gene expression was determined by Western blot and real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis. We assessed the effect of ZPE on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. ZPE reduced weight gain, white adipose tissue mass, and serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels (p<0.05) in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice. ZPE decreased lipid accumulation and PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1, and FAS protein and mRNA levels in the liver. ZPE inhibited in vitro adipocyte differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and significantly attenuated adipogenic transcription factors, such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1 in 3T3L1 cells. These findings suggest that Z. piperitum DC exerts an anti-obesity effect by inhibiting adipogenesis through the downregulation of genes involved in the adipogenesis pathway.

Catechins and Caffeine Inhibit Fat Accumulation in Mice through the Improvement of Hepatic Lipid Metabolism

To elucidate the inhibiting mechanisms of fat accumulation by catechins, caffeine, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), ICR mice were fed diets containing either 0.3% catechins or 0.1% EGCG and/or 0.05% caffeine for 4 weeks. After the feeding, intraperitoneal adipose tissues weights were significantly lower in the caffeine, catechins + caffeine, and EGCG + caffeine groups compared to controls. Hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in the catechins + caffeine group was significantly lower, and the activities of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACO) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-II (CPT-II) were significantly higher, compared to the control group. However, these activities were not observed in the other groups. FAS mRNA expression levels in the catechins + caffeine group were significantly lower than in the control group. ACO and CPT-II mRNA levels were not different among all of the treatment groups. These findings indicate that the inhibitory effects of fat accumulation via a combination of catechins, EGCG, or caffeine were stronger collectively than by either catechins, EGCG, or caffeine alone. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the combination of catechins and caffeine induced inhibition of fat accumulation by suppression of fatty acid synthesis and upregulation of the enzymatic activities involved in β-oxidation of fatty acid in the liver, but this result was not observed by combination of EGCG and caffeine.

Flavangenol (pine bark extract) and its major component procyanidin B1 enhance fatty acid oxidation in fat-loaded models

Flavangenol, one of several pine bark extract products, is expected to prevent metabolic diseases with its potent antioxidant effect, its anti-obesity effect and its improvement of insulin sensitivity. In this study, targeting the liver as one of the organs that plays an important role in energy metabolism, Flavangenol was investigated for its effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), its action mechanism and its active ingredients, using in vivo and in vitro experiment systems. Flavangenol suppressed intrahepatic fat accumulation in Western diet-loaded Tsumura Suzuki Obese Diabetes (TSOD) mice, which develop various metabolic diseases. In addition, Flavangenol significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of fatty acid oxidative enzymes (peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor α, acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase). In order to investigate the direct effect of Flavangenol on the liver, an in vitro fatty liver model prepared by adding a free fatty acid to human liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells) was used. In this model, Flavangenol significantly suppressed intracellular fat accumulation. Procyanidin B1, one of the major components of Flavangenol, also suppressed fat accumulation and induced mRNA expression of the fatty acid oxidative enzymes. As mentioned above, Flavangenol showed a significant suppressive effect in the NAFLD model, and it was suggested that the molecular mechanism is induction of fatty acid oxidation, with the effect mainly attributed to procyanidin B1.

Decursin, an Active Compound Isolated from Angelica gigas, Inhibits Fat Accumulation, Reduces Adipocytokine Secretion and Improves Glucose Tolerance in Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet

Decursin (De), an active component of Angelica gigas, is known to exert anticancer and neuroprotective effects. However, its antiobesity and antidiabetic potential has not yet been investigated. This study evaluated the antiobesity effect of decursin, particularly focusing on its ability to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Decursin treatment resulted in the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and the expression of fatty acid synthase. The study further investigated these antiobesity effects using mice fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD) and a HFD plus decursin 200 mg/kg diet (HFD + De) for 7 weeks. Mice administered HFD plus decursin showed a drastic decrease in weight gain, triglyceride content, total cholesterol content and fat size compared with those that received the HFD alone; this was observed despite similar quantities of total food intake. Furthermore, decursin improved glucose tolerance in mice fed a HFD. Finally, administration of decursin along with the HFD significantly reduced the secretion of HFD-induced adipocytokines such as leptin, resistin, IL-6 and MCP-1. These results suggest that decursin might be useful for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

A Black Soybean Seed Coat Extract Prevents Obesity and Glucose Intolerance by Up-regulating Uncoupling Proteins and Down-regulating Inflammatory Cytokines in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Black soybean seed coat extract (BE) is a polyphenol-rich food material consisting of 9.2% cyanidin 3-glucoside, 6.2% catechins, 39.8% procyanidins, and others. This study demonstrated that BE ameliorated obesity and glucose intolerance by up-regulating uncoupling proteins (UCPs) and down-regulating inflammatory cytokines in C57BL/6 mice fed a control or high-fat diet containing BE for 14 weeks. BE suppressed fat accumulation in mesenteric adipose tissue, reduced the plasma glucose level, and enhanced insulin sensitivity in the high-fat diet-fed mice. The gene and protein expression levels of UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue and UCP-2 in white adipose tissue were up-regulated by BE. Moreover, the gene expression levels of major inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were remarkably decreased by BE in white adipose tissue. BE is a beneficial food material for the prevention of obesity and diabetes by enhancing energy expenditure and suppressing inflammation.

Sulfation of chitosan oligomers enhances their anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation has a very crucial role to prevent obesity. Low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan is known to inhibit fat accumulation and adipogenesis. (N,O)-sulfated chitosan is a sulfation derivative of chitosan oligomers, and its anti-obesity effect is not yet reported. In this study, it has been reported that (N,O)-sulfated chitosan significantly decreased lipid accumulation, an indicator for adipogenesis, in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Furthermore, mRNA expressions and protein levels of key adipogenic markers such as peroxisome prolifetor-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-α were considerably decreased by (N,O)-sulfated chitosan treatment. As a consequence, sulfation of LMWC remarkably increased its effect of adipogenesis inhibition, adding (N,O)-sulfated chitosan high potential to be utilized as a bioactive agent in food and pharmaceutical industry.

Salacia reticulata inhibits differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes

ETHOPARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salacia reticulata, a herbal medicine which has been used for the treatment of early diabetes in Ayurvedic medicine, is reported to have an anti-obesity effect and to be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and other metabolic diseases. The present study was performed to elucidate the mechanism of action of Salacia reticulata with special attention to the adipocytes as the tissue primarily involved in the pathology of metabolic diseases. Mouse-derived adipocyte precursor 3T3-L1 cells were treated with differentiation inducers in the presence or absence of Salacia reticulata (SRCD). We determined triacylglycerol accumulations, differentiation makers, released glycerol and adiponectin. Mangiferin, the primary component of SRCD, was also treated to 3T3-L1 cells. Concurrent administration of the extract of SRCD and differentiation inducers resulted in a significant inhibition of differentiation into mature adipocytes. SRCD also exhibited significant inhibitory action on the expression of genes and proteins of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α, as well as on the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), a differentiation marker, and caused a reduction in the concentration of released adiponectin. However, SRCD had no influence on lipolysis as indicated by the release of glycerol into the culture medium. The primary component of SRCD, mangiferin, was investigated for its effect on adipocytes; mangiferin caused no suppression of fat accumulation, suggesting that a component of SRCD other than mangiferin may be involved in the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. The above results suggest that the inhibitory action of SRCD on adipocyte differentiation, and not the promotion of lipolysis, is involved in the suppression of fat accumulation.

APhellinus baumiiExtract Reduces Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice and Absorption of Triglyceride in Lipid-Loaded Mice

This study evaluated the anti-obesity effects of Phellinus baumii extract (PBE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Male 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, normal chow diet plus vehicle; HFD-control, high-fat plus vehicle; HFD plus orlistat (Xenical(®), Roche, Basel, Switzerland) (50 mg/kg); and HFD plus PBE (500 mg/kg). PBE was administered daily by oral gavage for 12 weeks. Oral administration of PBE (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced body weight gain, hepatic lipid concentrations, and fat accumulation in epididymal adipocytes compared with mice fed HFD alone (P < .05). mRNA expression of genes related to triglyceride (TG) synthesis was suppressed in the PBE groups, and fatty acid synthase activity was also significantly inhibited (P < .05). Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of PBE on TG absorption and detected marked reduction in TG absorption in Xenical- and PBE-treated mice compared with the control group (P < .05). To determine the active compound of PBE, fractionation was conducted, and interfungin A, davallialactone, and hypholomine B were identified as the main compounds. Among the three identified compounds, as a representative compound, davallialactone was also shown to suppress fat accumulation in an in vitro model system. These anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects appear to be partly mediated by suppressing plasma and hepatic fat accumulation through the inhibition of enzymes associated with hepatic and intestinal lipid absorption and synthesis.

Metabolic Impact of Adult-Onset, Isolated, Growth Hormone Deficiency (AOiGHD) Due to Destruction of Pituitary Somatotropes

Growth hormone (GH) inhibits fat accumulation and promotes protein accretion, therefore the fall in GH observed with weight gain and normal aging may contribute to metabolic dysfunction. To directly test this hypothesis a novel mouse model of adult onset-isolated GH deficiency (AOiGHD) was generated by cross breeding rat GH promoter-driven Cre recombinase mice (Cre) with inducible diphtheria toxin receptor mice (iDTR) and treating adult Cre+/−,iDTR+/− offspring with DT to selectively destroy the somatotrope population of the anterior pituitary gland, leading to a reduction in circulating GH and IGF-I levels. DT-treated Cre−/−,iDTR+/− mice were used as GH-intact controls. AOiGHD improved whole body insulin sensitivity in both low-fat and high-fat fed mice. Consistent with improved insulin sensitivity, indirect calorimetry revealed AOiGHD mice preferentially utilized carbohydrates for energy metabolism, as compared to GH-intact controls. In high-fat, but not low-fat fed AOiGHD mice, fat mass increased, hepatic lipids decreased and glucose clearance and insulin output were impaired. These results suggest the age-related decline in GH helps to preserve systemic insulin sensitivity, and in the context of moderate caloric intake, prevents the deterioration in metabolic function. However, in the context of excess caloric intake, low GH leads to impaired insulin output, and thereby could contribute to the development of diabetes.

Korean Red Ginseng Extract Suppresses the Progression of Alcoholic Fatty Liver in a Rat Model

Alcoholic fatty liver (AFL) is the most common liver disease among Korean men, and Korean red ginseng has been used as a folk medicine to diverse diseases in Korea. Therefore, we examined if Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) could be a suppressive agent on AFL in a rat model or not. Experimental rats were fed the Lieber DeCarli diet with 36% of energy intake from ethanol, and divided into three groups which daily co-administered KRG 0, 700 and 1400 mg/kg for six weeks, respectively. Naive rats were fed iso-caloric control diet without ethanol and KRG. We investigated histopathological hepatic characteristics, hepatic and plasma lipid concentrations, hepatic hydroxyproline contents, heart/liver radioactivity ratio of 201 Thallium and liver/body weight of the rats at the end point. Ethanol intake brought about steatotic, inflammatory, necrotic and fibrotic changes of livers significantly, and it also lead the rats to increase hepatic triglyceride and hydroxyproline contents, plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and liver/body weight. However, co-administration of KRG 1400 mg/kg suppressed fat accumulation and fibrotic initiation in AFL rat model significantly. It was also inclined to attenuate inflammatory cell infiltration, hydroxyproline accumulation, and increasing liver/body weight, even though plasma lipid levels and heart/liver ratios were not successfully improved by six-week-long intakes of KRG. In conclusions, co-administration of KRG 1400 mg/kg could significantly suppress steatosis in AFL rat model, and it might need longer ingestion of KRG than six weeks to improve plasma lipid imbalance.

Effects of Kurozu concentrated liquid on adipocyte size in rats

BackgroundKurozu concentrated liquid (KCL) is used as a health-promoting supplement for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in Japan. We investigated the possible anti-obesity effects of KCL in rats.MethodsMale Sprague Dawley rats were fed American Institute of Nutrition 76 formula diet and were orally administrated KCL or acetic acid at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight or deionized water for 4 weeks. Adipocyte size, DNA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue, lipid levels in the serum and liver, and the rate of fatty acid excretion were determined. Effects of KCL on pancreatic lipase activity and 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation were investigated in vitro.ResultsIn the KCL group, the average adipocyte size in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues was significantly reduced. The KCL-administered rats displayed greater numbers of small adipocytes in the subcutaneous, perirenal and mesenteric adipose tissues than did rats from the other groups. In the KCL group, the DNA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue was significantly increased. The rate of fatty acid excretion was significantly increased in the KCL group. Furthermore, KCL significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro, and also significantly inhibited fat accumulation and mRNA expression of fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated γ (PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. The levels of serum and liver lipids, the concentration of serum glucose, and the levels of adiponectin were similar among the 3 groups.ConclusionOral administration of KCL decreases the adipocyte size via inhibition of dietary fat absorption and reductions of PPARγ and aP2 mRNA expression levels in adipocytes.

Novel Loss-of-Functionputative aminotransferaseAlleles Cause Biosynthesis of Capsinoids, Nonpungent Capsaicinoid Analogues, in Mildly Pungent Chili Peppers (Capsicum chinense)

Capsinoids are a group of nonpungent capsaicinoid analogues produced in Capsicum fruits. They have similar bioactivities to capsaicinoids such as suppression of fat accumulation and antioxidant activity. They are more palatable ingredients in dietary supplements than capsaicinoids because of their low pungency. Previous studies on nonpungent Capsicum annuum cultivars showed that capsinoid biosynthesis is caused by loss-of-function putative aminotransferase (p-amt) alleles. This study showed that three mildly pungent cultivars of Capsicum chinense (Zavory Hot, Aji Dulce strain 2, and Belize Sweet) contain high levels of capsinoid. It was shown that these cultivars have novel p-amt alleles, which contain mutations that differ from those of C. annuum. Sequence analysis of p-amt in Belize Sweet revealed that a 5 bp insertion (TGGGC) results in a frameshift mutation. A transposable element (Tcc) was found in the p-amt of Zavory Hot and Aji Dulce strain 2. Tcc has features similar to those of the hAT transposon family. This was inserted in the fifth intron of Zavory Hot and in third intron of Aji Dulce strain 2. The p-amt alleles harboring Tcc cannot produce an active p-AMT. These mildly pungent cultivars will provide a new natural source of capsinoids.

생약복합물에 의한 지방세포형성 조절자의 유전자 발현 연구

본 연구의 목적은 생약복합제제인 SH21B의 adipogenesis 억제 효능에 대한 상세한 분자적 메커니즘을 3T3-L1 지방세포를 이용하여 밝히는 데 있다. 실험에 사용된 SH21B는 7가지 생약성 천연물질인, 황금, 행인, 마황, 석창포, 포황, 원지 및 하엽으로 이루어졌다. 최근, 본 연구진에 의해 3T3-L1을 이용한 in vitro 연구와 마우스를 이용한 in vivo 연구에서 SH21B의 adipogenesis 억제효능이 밝혀진 바 있다. 본 연구에서는 3T3-L1 지방세포가 분화될 때 작용하는 다양한 지방세포형성 조절자들의 유전자 발현이 SH21B에 의해 어떻게 변하는지 살펴보고자 하였다. 실시간중합효소반응(real time PCR) 기술을 이용하여 SH21B를 처리한 지방세포와 그렇지 않은 지방세포를 비교한 결과, 최종마커인 ADIPOQ와 SLC2A4의 유전자 발현이 SH21B에 의해 급격하게 감소함을 알 수 있었다. 최종마커의 발현을 유도하는 핵심전사인자인 <TEX>$PPAR{\gamma}$</TEX>와 C/<TEX>$EBP{\alpha}$</TEX>의 유전자 발현 역시 SH21B의 처리 시 유의하게 억제되었다. 좀 더 상세한 분자적 메커니즘을 규명하기 위해, 핵심전사인자의 상위에 위치한 다양한 조절자들의 유전자 발현을 분석하였다. 그 결과, 여러 지방세포형성 유도조절자 중, Krox20과 KLF15의 유전자 발현이 SH21B 처리에 의해 유의하게 감소된 반면, C/<TEX>$EBP{\beta}$</TEX>와 KLF5의 유전자 발현은 SH21B 처리에 영향을 받지 않았다. 그리고 지방세포형성 억제조절자인 KLF2와 CHOP의 유전자 발현은 SH21B 처리에 의해 유의하게 증가되었다. 이러한 결과들은 SH21B의 지방세포형성 억제효능이 지방세포의 분화에 작용하는 다양한 상위조절자 중 지방세포형성 유도조절자인 Krox20과 KLF15 그리고 지방세포형성 억제조절자인 KLF2와 CHOP 등의 유전자 발현이 변화되면서 일어나는 복합적인 반응의 결과임을 제시한다. In our previous study, it was reported that an herbal mixture, SH21B, inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo models of obesity. SH21B is a mixture composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd, and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner (Ratio 3:3:3:3:3:2:2). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of the effects of SH21B on various regulators of the adipogenesis pathway. During the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, SH21B significantly decreased the expression levels of central transcription factors of adipogenesis, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)<TEX>$\gamma$</TEX> and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)<TEX>$\alpha$</TEX>. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effects of SH21B, we examined the expression levels of the various pro-adipogenic or anti-adipogenic regulators of adipogenesis upstream of <TEX>$PPAR{\gamma}$</TEX> and C/<TEX>$EBP{\alpha}$</TEX>. The mRNA levels of Krox20 and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 15, which are pro-adipogenic regulators, were significantly down-regulated by SH21B treatment, whereas the mRNA levels of C/<TEX>$EBP{\gamma}$</TEX> and KLF5 were not changed. KLF2 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are anti-adipogenic regulators, were significantly up-regulated by SH21B treatment. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of SH21B involves both the down-regulations of pro-adipogenic regulators, such as Krox20 and KLF15, and the up-regulations of anti-adipogenic regulators, such as KLF2 and CHOP, which results in the suppression of central transcription factors of adipogenesis including <TEX>$PPAR{\gamma}$</TEX> and C/<TEX>$EBP{\alpha}$</TEX>.

Metabolic disease prevention and suppression of fat accumulation by Salacia reticulata

In Ayurvedic medicine, Salacia reticulata is known to be useful against various metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity. In this study, we attempted to clarify the antiobesity mechanism and the safety of S. reticulata in vivo and in vitro. We gave ordinary MF feed, alone or mixed with S. reticulata (0.3 or 1.0%), to Tsumura Suzuki obesity diabetes (TSOD) mice (spontaneous obese type II diabetes model mice) and Tsumura Suzuki non-obese (TSNO) mice (the corresponding reference animals), ad libitum for 2 months. As compared with the TSNO control mice, the TSOD control mice became obese due to fat accumulation and developed various signs of metabolic diseases. The TSOD mouse group receiving S. reticulata showed the following effects: suppression of body weight increase and fat accumulation, alleviation of abnormal lipid metabolism and abnormal glucose tolerance, and suppression of intrahepatic fat accumulation. Also, S. reticulata prevented the mesenteric adipocyte hypertrophy recognized in TSOD mice. In the TSNO controls, the feed containing 1.0% S. reticulata exerted a suppressing effect on body weight increase and fat accumulation, but the feed containing 0.3% S. reticulata did not show any effect at all. In an in vitro experiment using mouse-derived adipocyte precursor 3T3-L1 cells, S. reticulata significantly suppressed fat accumulation in the differentiation induction phase and maturation phase. This suggested that the metabolic disease-preventing effects of S. reticulata, including the antiobesity effect, may involve suppression of differentiation and accumulation in the adipocytes.

3T3-L1 세포에서 지방세포형성 유도조절자 및 억제조절자의 발현에 대한 platycodin D의 효과

Platycodin D, a major component of Platycodi radix, is known to have various activities including anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor activities and others. Recently, it was reported that platycodin D inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether various adipogenic regulators are modulated by platycodin D treatment during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. mRNA levels of terminal markers of adipogenesis such as ADIPOQ (adiponectin) and GLUT (glucose transporter) 4, which were quantified by real time PCR, were decreased by platycodin D treatment. mRNA expression of PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) and C/EBP (CCAAT/enhaner binding protein) , which are central transcription factors of adipogenesis, were also decreased by platycodin D treatment. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis, we analyzed mRNA expression of upstream regulators of PPAR and C/EPB. mRNA levels of the pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF (Kruppel-like factor) 15 were markedly down-regulated by platycodin D treatment. On the other hand, mRNA expression of CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein), an anti-adipogenic regulator, was significantly up-regulated by platycodin D treatment. mRNA levels of other pro-adipogenic regulators, C/EBP and C/EPB, were not affected by platycodin D treatment, and another anti-adipogenic regulator, C/EBP was also not affected by platycodin D treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that platycodin D-induced inhibition of adipogenesis is mediated by gene interactions including the down-regulation of pro-adipogenic regulators, KROX20 and KLF15, and the up-regulation of an anti-adipogenic regulator, CHOP.

Blood orange juice inhibits fat accumulation in mice

To analyze the effect of the juice obtained from two varieties of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck), Moro (a blood orange) and Navelina (a blond orange), on fat accumulation in mice fed a standard or a high-fat diet (HFD). Obesity was induced in male C57/Bl6 mice by feeding a HFD. Moro and Navelina juices were provided instead of water. The effect of an anthocyanin-enriched extract from Moro oranges or purified cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) was also analyzed. Body weight and food intake were measured regularly over a 12-week period. The adipose pads were weighted and analyzed histologically; total RNA was also isolated for microarray analysis. Dietary supplementation of Moro juice, but not Navelina juice significantly reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation regardless of the increased energy intake because of sugar content. Furthermore, mice drinking Moro juice were resistant to HFD-induced obesity with no alterations in food intake. Only the anthocyanin extract, but not the purified C3G, slightly affected fat accumulation. High-throughput gene expression analysis of fat tissues confirmed that Moro juice could entirely rescue the high fat-induced transcriptional reprogramming. Moro juice anti-obesity effect on fat accumulation cannot be explained only by its anthocyanin content. Our findings suggest that multiple components present in the Moro orange juice might act synergistically to inhibit fat accumulation.

Newly Mutatedputative-aminotransferasein Nonpungent Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Results in Biosynthesis of Capsinoids, Capsaicinoid Analogues

Capsinoids make up a group of nonpungent capsaicinoid analogues produced in Capsicum fruits. They have bioactivities similar to those of capsaicinoids such as suppression of fat accumulation and antioxidant activity. Because of their low pungency, they are more palatable ingredients in dietary supplements than capsaicinoids. We recently reported that capsinoid biosynthesis is caused by nonsense mutation in a putative aminotransferase gene (p-AMT) in a nonpungent cultivar CH-19 Sweet. Here we report on the screening of nonpungent germplasm that revealed a nonpungent cultivar Himo, which contains high levels of capsinoids. We have shown that Himo has a recessive allele of p-amt, which contains a mutation different from that of CH-19 Sweet. Sequence analysis of p-amt in Himo revealed that a single-nucleotide substitution results in one amino acid substitution from cysteine to arginine in the pyridoxal 5-phosphate binding domain. Genetic analysis using a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker confirmed that the p-AMT genotype was precisely cosegregated with capsinoid biosynthesis and nonpungency. Himo will provide a new natural source of capsinoids.

SH21B, an anti-obesity herbal composition, inhibits fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet-induced obese mice through the modulation of the adipogenesis pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance SH21B is an anti-obesity composition composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner. It has been used for the treatment of obesity in traditional medical clinics in Korea, but its anti-obesity effects and mechanism of action have not been studied until now. Aim of the study This study was conducted to confirm the anti-obesity effects of SH21B and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Materials and methods 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet-induced obese mice were treated with SH21B, and its effect on gene expression was analyzed using microarray technology, real-time PCR and western blotting experiments. Results SH21B significantly inhibited fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reduced adipose tissue and serum triglyceride levels in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Microarray analyses showed that SH21B affected more genes in the adipogenesis pathway than any other pathway studied. SH21B significantly decreased the expression of major transcription factors of the adipogenesis pathway and resulted in the down-regulation of lipid metabolizing enzymes involved in the transport, uptake and synthesis of lipids. Conclusions SH21B inhibits fat accumulation by down-regulating the expression of genes involved in the adipogenesis pathway.