Eriobotrya japonica improves hyperlipidemia and reverses insulin resistance in high‐fat‐fed mice

The effect of Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. (loquat) on insulin resistance was examined in mice fed a high‐fat (HF) diet. First, the mice were divided randomly into two groups: the control (CON) group was fed a low‐fat diet, whereas the experimental group was fed with a 45% HF diet for 10 weeks. After 6 weeks of induction, the HF group was subdivided into five groups and was given orally loquat or not for 4 weeks afterward. It was demonstrated that loquat was effective in ameliorating the HF diet‐induced hyperglycemia, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as in decreasing the levels of free fatty acid (FFA), but increasing the adipose PPARγ (peroxisomal proliferator‐activated receptor γ) and hepatic PPARα mRNA levels. Loquat significantly decreased the body weight gain, weights of white adipose tissue and visceral fat accompanying the suppressed leptin mRNA levels. Loquat not only suppressed the hepatic mRNA levels of enzymes involved in fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis and lowered the sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c) mRNA level, but also affected fatty acid oxidation enzyme levels. These regulations may contribute to triacylglycerol accumulation in white adipose tissue. The findings provide a nutritional basis for the use of loquat as a functional food factor that may have benefits for the prevention of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Beneficial Effect of Anthocyanidin‐Rich Vitis vinifera L. Grape Skin Extract on Metabolic Changes Induced by High‐Fat Diet in Mice Involves Antiinflammatory and Antioxidant Actions

We hypothesized that a polyphenol‐rich extract from Vitis vinifera L. grape skin (GSE) may exert beneficial effects on obesity and related metabolic disorders induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD). C57/BL6 mice were fed a standard diet (10% fat, control, and GSE groups) or an HFD (60% fat, high fat (HF), and HF + GSE) with or without GSE (200 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. GSE prevented weight gain; dyslipidemia; insulin resistance; the alterations in plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin; and the deregulation of leptin and adiponectin expression in adipose tissue. These beneficial effects of GSE may be related to a positive modulation of insulin signaling proteins (IR, pIRS, PI3K, pAKT), pAMPK/AMPK ratio, and GLUT4 expression in muscle and adipose tissue. In addition, GSE prevented the oxidative damage, evidenced by the restoration of antioxidant activity and decrease of malondialdehyde and carbonyl levels in muscle and adipose tissue. Finally, GSE showed an anti‐inflammatory action, evidenced by the reduced plasma and adipose tissue inflammatory markers (TNF‐α, IL‐6). Our results suggest that GSE prevented the obesity and related metabolic disorders in HF‐fed mice by regulating insulin sensitivity and GLUT4 expression as well as by preventing the oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Scopoletin Supplementation Ameliorates Steatosis and Inflammation in Diabetic Mice

Scopoletin is a bioactive component in many edible plants and fruits. This study investigated the effects of scopoletin on hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a high‐fat diet fed type 1 diabetic mice by comparison with metformin. Scopoletin (0.01%, w/w) or metformin (0.5%, w/w) was provided with a high‐fat diet to streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice for 11 weeks. Both scopoletin and metformin lowered blood glucose and HbA_1c, serum ALT, TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels, glucose intolerance, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared with the diabetic control group. Scopoletin or metformin down‐regulated hepatic gene expression of triglyceride (Pparg, Plpp2, and Dgat2) and cholesterol (Hmgcr) synthesis as well as inflammation (Tlr4, Myd88, Nfkb1, Tnfa, and Il6), while it up‐regulated Cyp7a1 gene. Hepatic PPARγ and DGAT2 protein levels were also down‐regulated in scopoletin or metformin group compared with the control group. Scopoletin or metformin also inhibited hepatic fatty acid synthase and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities. These results suggest that scopoletin protects against diabetes‐induced steatosis and inflammation by inhibiting lipid biosynthesis and TLR4‐MyD88 pathways. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

半合成高脂饲料和合成高脂饲料对大鼠糖脂代谢的影响

 目的 探讨半合成高脂饲料和合成高脂饲料对Wistar大鼠糖脂代谢的影响。方法 雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为3组,正常对照组（Con,n=7给予普通饲料;高脂1组（HF1,n=7给予合成高脂饲料;高脂2组（HF2,n=7给予半合成高脂饲料。观察大鼠体重变化、能量摄入、血清总甘油三酯、血清总胆固醇水平,进行胰岛素耐量实验和口服葡萄糖耐量实验。结果 与正常对照组大鼠相比,半合成高脂饲料和合成高脂饲料喂养的大鼠第1周出现体重显著性升高;第2周出现血清总甘油三酯水平显著性升高;第4周出现明显的糖耐量异常和胰岛素抵抗。结论 半合成高脂饲料和合成高脂饲料喂养的大鼠均可较好地模拟糖脂代谢异常的主要生理病理状态,具有肥胖、口服葡萄糖糖耐量异常、胰岛素抵抗、高甘油三酯血症等基本特征,并且半合成高脂饲料更适于诱导大鼠糖脂代谢异常。     

Triterpenoids‐Enriched Extract from the Aerial Parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza Regulates Macrophage Polarization and Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in High‐Fat Fed Mice

Adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage polarization are tightly associated with the development of obesity‐associated insulin resistance. Our previous studies have demonstrated the triterpenoids‐enriched extract from the aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza (TTE) could significantly improve atherosclerosis in LDLR^?/? mice. However, its molecular mechanisms of TTE ameliorating insulin resistance remain unclear. In the present study, obesity model with insulin resistance induced by feeding high‐fat diet (HFD) was established. Dietary TTE attenuated hyperlipidemia, improved glucose intolerance in mice and mediated the activation of IRS‐1/PI3K/Akt insulin signaling pathway. Meanwhile, dietary TTE also attenuated macrophage infiltrations into adipose tissue and modified the phenotype ratio of M1/M2 macrophages. Furthermore, our results showed that TTE regulated the polarization of macrophages partly via adenosine monophosphate‐activated kinase (AMPK). Taken together, these findings suggested that TTE has a potential clinical utility in improving insulin resistance. Its mechanisms might be contributed to its beneficial effects on macrophage polarization via AMPK. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Prenylated flavonoid‐standardized extract from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. activated fat browning in high‐fat diet–induced obese mice

We investigated the effects of the prenylated flavonoid‐standardized extract (PFE) from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. on countering obesity, which increases energy expenditure and stimulates thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). For 12 weeks, C57BL/6 mice were fed a controlled high‐fat diet (HFD) or HFDs with 0.2% or 0.5% w/w PFE. In vitro, the differentiation of 3 T3‐L1 cells was used to elicit thermogenesis in the presence of PFE. PFE obviously reduced body weight and fat mass in a dose‐dependent manner, increased energy expenditure, improved insulin sensitivity, and prevented hepatic steatosis by increasing lipid oxidation and secretion in HFD‐fed mice. Moreover, PFE induced clear browning in sWAT, significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPKα1/2 and p38, increased BAT activity and the differentiation of 3 T3‐L1 by increasing the expression of uncoupling protein 1 and other thermogenic genes. Our study showed that PFE prevented obesity by increasing browning and activating thermogenic genes in sWAT and BAT, improving glucose homeostasis, and protecting hepatic steatosis.     

Insulin‐Sensitizing and Beneficial Lipid‐Metabolic Effects of the Water‐Soluble Melanin Complex Extracted from Inonotus obliquus

Inonotus obliquus has been traditionally used for treatment of metabolic diseases; however, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that the water‐soluble melanin complex extracted from I. obliquus improved insulin sensitivity and reduced adiposity in high fat (HF)‐fed obese mice. When the melanin complex was treated to 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake was increased significantly, and its phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐dependent action was proven with wortmannin treatment. Additionally, dose‐dependent increases in Akt phosphorylation and glucose transporter 4 translocation into the plasma membrane were observed in melanin complex‐treated cells. Adiponectin gene expression in 3T3‐L1 cells incubated with melanin complex increased which was corroborated by increased AMP‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation in HepG2 and C2C12 cells treated with conditioned media from the 3T3‐L1 culture. Melanin complex‐treated 3T3‐L1 cells showed no significant change in expression of several lipogenic genes, whereas enhanced expressions of fatty acid oxidative genes were observed. Similarly, the epididymal adipose tissue of melanin complex‐treated HF‐fed mice had higher expression of fatty acid oxidative genes without significant change in lipogenic gene expression. Together, these results suggest that the water‐soluble melanin complex of I. obliquus exerts antihyperglycemic and beneficial lipid‐metabolic effects, making it a candidate for promising antidiabetic agent. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potent Effects of the Total Saponins from Dioscorea nipponica Makino Against Streptozotocin‐Induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The aim of the present paper was to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of the total saponins from Dioscorea nipponica Makino (TSDN) against type 2 diabetes mellitus. Streptozotocin (STZ) with high‐fat diet induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats were treated with TSDN. Some biochemical parameters, target proteins and genes were investigated. The results showed that TSDN decreased the levels of food/water intake, fasting blood glucose and serum lipid parameters, ameliorated oral glucose and insulin tolerance test levels, markedly increased body weight and serum insulin, reduced excess free radicals and affected ossification and renal protection. Histopathological examination indicated that TSDN increased liver glycogen, decreased the production of lipid vacuoles and lightened liver damage. Further investigation showed that TSDN down‐regulated the protein expressions of NF‐κB, GRP78, ATF6, eIF2 and the levels of MAPK phosphorylation and up‐regulated the protein expressions of IRS‐1, GLUT‐4, p‐Akt and p‐AMPK. In addition, TSDN obviously decreased the gene expressions of TNF‐a, IL‐6, PEPCK, G6Pase, GSK‐3β and GSK‐3β activity, and increased the gene expressions of PFK, PK and GK activity. These findings show the anti‐diabetic activity of total saponins from D. nipponica Makino, which should be developed as a new potent drug for treatment of diabetes mellitus in future. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antilipogenic effect of green tea extract in C57BL/6J‐Lepob/ob mice

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of green tea extract (GTE) on lipid metabolism in obese animal models. Male C57BL/6J‐Lepob/ob mice were divided into control and GTE (0.05 g/100 g diet) groups, which were fed a high‐fat (20 g/100 g diet) diet for 12 weeks. Supplementation of GTE significantly reduced (p < 0.01) perirenal and total white adipose tissue weights compared with the control group. Also, the plasma HDL‐cholesterol level was significantly higher in the GTE group than in the control group, therefore the GTE group showed a higher HDL‐cholesterol/total‐cholesterol ratio (HTR) and lower atherogenic index (AI) level than the control group. A reduction of hepatic triglyceride content and adipose tissue weight in the GTE group was related to the suppression of enzyme activities for fatty acid synthesis (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme) without affecting fatty acid oxidation enzyme (β‐oxidation and carnitine palmitoyl transferase) activities in hepatic and adipose tissue. The current results showed that supplementation of green tea extract is beneficial for antiobesity by the suppression of lipogenesis via regulation of related enzyme activities in hepatic and adipose tissue. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gastrodin Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory Response in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through the AMPK/Nrf2 Pathway

This study was designed to investigate the antioxidative, antiinflammatory and metabolism‐regulating effects of gastrodin (GSTD) in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oleic acid (OA) was used to induce steatosis in HL‐7702 cells; a high‐fat or high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet was used to induce NAFLD in mice and rats. Our results showed that GSTD significantly increased hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) but decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS)/malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. GSTD promoted the phosphorylation of nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor‐2 (Nrf2) at serine (Ser) 40, stimulated its nuclear translocation and increased hepatic expression of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). GSTD activated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), suppressed hepatic steatosis, lowered serum triglyceride (TG)/glucose and decreased body weight gain in animals with NAFLD. The stimulating effects of GSTD on the Nrf2 pathway as well as its antioxidative/antiinflammatory activities were abolished by compound C in OA‐treated HL‐7702 cells. In summary, our results demonstrate that GSTD activates the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway, ameliorates oxidative stress/proinflammatory response and improves lipid metabolism in NAFLD. Our findings may support the future clinical application of GSTD for the treatment of NAFLD to reduce hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress and proinflammatory response. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thylakoids suppress appetite by increasing cholecystokinin resulting in lower food intake and body weight in high‐fat fed mice

Thylakoids are membranes isolated from plant chloroplasts which have previously been shown to inhibit pancreatic lipase/colipase catalysed hydrolysis of fat in vitro and induce short‐term satiety in vivo. The purpose of the present study was to examine if dietary supplementation of thylakoids could affect food intake and body weight during long‐term feeding in mice. Female apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice were fed a high‐fat diet containing 41% of fat by energy with and without thylakoids for 100 days. Mice fed the thylakoid‐enriched diet had suppressed food intake, body weight gain and body fat compared with the high‐fat fed control mice. Reduced serum glucose, serum triglyceride and serum free fatty acid levels were found in the thylakoid‐treated animals. The satiety hormone cholecystokinin was elevated, suggesting this hormone mediates satiety. Leptin levels were reduced, reflecting a decreased fat mass. There was no sign of desensitization in the animals treated with thylakoids. The results suggest that thylakoids are useful to suppress appetite and body weight gain when supplemented to a high‐fat food during long‐term feeding. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hypolipidemic activity and mechanisms of the total phenylpropanoid glycosides from Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume by AMPK‐SREBP‐1c pathway in hamsters fed a high‐fat diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect and mechanisms of total phenylpropanoid glycosides extracted from Ligustrum robustum (Roxb.) Blume (LRTPG) in hamsters fed a high‐fat diet and to discover bioactive components in HepG2 cell model induced by oleic acid. LRTPG of high (1.2 g/kg), medium (0.6 g/kg), and low (0.3 g/kg) doses was administrated daily for 21 consecutive days in hamsters. We found that in hamsters fed a high‐fat diet, LRTPG effectively reduced the concentrations of plasma triglycerides (TG), free fatty acid, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hepatic TG and total cholesterol. And the compounds acteoside, ligupurpuroside A, ligupurpuroside C, and ligupurpuroside D significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in HepG2 cell at the concentration of 50 μmol/L. Mechanism research demonstrated that LRTPG increased the levels of phospho–AMP‐activated protein kinase and phospho‐sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c in liver, further to suppress the downstream lipogenic genes as stearoyl‐CoA desaturase 1, glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase, 1‐acylglycerol‐3‐phosphate O‐acyltransferase 2, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2. In addition, LRTPG increased the hydrolysis of circulating TG by up‐regulating lipoprotein lipase activities. These results indicate that LRTPG prevents hyperlipidemia via activation of hepatic AMP‐activated protein kinase‐sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c pathway.     

津力达颗粒对高脂饮食诱导的肥胖小鼠代谢紊乱及FGF21/AMPK信号通路的影响

目的研究津力达颗粒对高脂饮食诱导的肥胖小鼠代谢紊乱及成纤维细胞生长因子21(fibroblast growth factor 21,FGF21)/磷酸腺苷活化蛋白激酶(AMP-dependent/activated protein kinase,AMPK)信号通路的影响。方法C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、津力达颗粒(3.8g/kg)组,对照组小鼠喂食标准饲料,其余各组小鼠喂食高脂饲料;给予津力达颗粒进行干预后,每周称定小鼠体质量并记录小鼠日摄食、饮水量;ELISA法检测各组小鼠血清中三酰甘油(triglycerides,TG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)水平;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色法观察各组小鼠肝脏、脂肪组织病理变化;通过腹膜内葡萄糖耐量实验测定各组小鼠血糖水平;qRT-PCR和Westernblotting法检测小鼠肝脏和脂肪组织中FGF21/AMPK通路相关基因和蛋白的表达。结果与模型组比较,津力达颗粒组小鼠体质量、棕色脂肪质量、白色脂肪质量、肝脏质量显著降低(P<0.05、0.01、0.001);血清TG、LDL-C水平显著降低(P<0.01、0.001),HDL-C水平显著升高(P<0.001);血糖水平显著降低(P<0.01、0.001);肝脏FGF21、成纤维生长因子受体1(fibroblast growth factor receptors 1,FGFR1)m RNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.05、0.01);肝脏FGF21、p-AMPK、p-AMPK/AMPK蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.05、0.001),肝脏AMPK、Klotho、沉默信息调节因子1(silentinformationregulator1,SIRT1)蛋白水平明显降低(P<0.05);脂肪FGF21 mRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.01),脂肪FGFR1、AMPK、p-AMPK蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.05、0.001)。结论津力达颗粒可以通过调节FGF21及其蛋白受体复合物(FGFR1/β-Klotho),进一步激活AMPK信号通路,改善高脂饮食诱导的代谢紊乱,为津力达颗粒在代谢综合征的临床应用提供依据。     

栀子苷改善大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝病游离脂肪酸代谢的机制研究

观察栀子苷改善非酒精性脂肪性肝病的效果,从游离脂肪酸探讨栀子苷调节非酒精性脂肪性肝病的作用机制。健康雄性Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为4组:正常组、模型组、栀子苷组和血脂康组,每组大鼠10只,正常组大鼠给予正常大鼠饲料喂养,其余3组大鼠均采用高脂饲料喂养以诱导非酒精性脂肪性肝病,造模时间为8周,从第5周起至第8周末,栀子苷组和血脂康组分别灌服相应的药物。记录大鼠体重、肝湿重、脂肪质量;用相应方法检测肝组织TG,FFA,FAS,AMPK,ACCase及Malonyl-Co A含量,血清CHO,LDL-C的含量,血清AST,ALT的活性;观察肝脏组织肉眼及病理变化(HE染色法)。结果显示,与正常组相比,模型组大鼠的体重;肝湿重;脂肪重;血清CHO,LDL-C,ALT,AST;肝组织TG,FFA,FAS,ACCase及Malonyl-Co A含量皆显著升高(P0.01);肝组织AMPK活性显著降低(P0.01),肝组织肉眼外观及病理切片脂肪变性明显,并出现炎症损伤;与模型组相比,栀子苷组大鼠体重、脂肪质量、肝组织FFA含量、血清ALT,AST活性均显著降低(P0.01),肝湿重,肝组织TG,FAS,ACCase及Malonyl-Co A含量明显降低(P0.05),肝组织AMPK活性明显增多(P0.05),肝脏肉眼外观及病理学表现均有所改善;与模型组相比,血脂康组大鼠的肝湿重、脂肪质量、肝组织TG,FFA和血清LDL-C水平明显降低(P0.05);与血脂康组相比,栀子苷组大鼠的体重、脂肪质量、肝组织FFA含量均显著降低(P0.01),其他方面无明显差异。结果表明,栀子苷具有显著的改善高脂饮食诱导的大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝病的药理效应;其改善大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝病的游离脂肪酸代谢是通过调节"AMPK-ACCase-Malonyl-Co A-FFA"轴来实现的。     

Aurantio‐obtusin improves obesity and insulin resistance induced by high‐fat diet in obese mice

Aurantio‐obtusin (AUR) is the main bioactive compound among the anthraquinones, from Cassia seed extract. This study was conducted to identify whether AUR could improve obesity and insulin resistance, induced by a high‐fat diet in obese mice. Mice were fed a high‐fat diet for 6 weeks and were then assigned to the high‐fat diet (HFD) control group, the AUR 5 mg/kg group, or the AUR 10 mg/kg group. AUR improves glucose by activating the expression of PI3K, Akt and GLUT4, GLUT2. AUR altered the expression levels of several lipid metabolism‐related and adipokine genes. AUR decreased the mRNA expression of PPAR‐γ, FAS and increased the mRNA expression of PPAR‐α in liver. AUR lowered SREBP‐1c, FAS, SCD‐1, inflammatory cytokines, and increased the expression of PPAR‐γ, PPAR‐α, CPT‐1, and adiponectin in white adipose tissue (WAT). AUR docking with the insulin receptor showed that the residues of the insulin receptor, ectodomain, were the same as those around the emodin. The effect of AUR may be elicited by regulating the activity of the insulin signaling pathway, expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes, and expression of inflammatory cytokine markers to improve adiposity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.     

Hepatoprotective Effects of Pycnogenol in a Rat Model of Non‐alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Oxidative stress is considered as a mechanism of hepatocellular injury in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pycnogenol (PYC) is the natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton. and has potent antioxidant activities. We studied the protective effect of PYC on excessive fat accumulation in the liver fed a methionine–choline deficient (MCD) high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. Pycnogenol (10 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected and assessed for effects of PYC by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues stained with Azan–Mallory showed hepatic macrovesicular steatosis and fibrosis in MCD‐fed rats. Supplementation of PYC prevented this effect. Pycnogenol treatment significantly decreased the liver triglyceride and serum alanine amino transferase levels. Our results indicated that orally administered PYC may serve to prevent NASH‐induced liver damage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of quercetin-rich onion peel extracts on adipokine expression in the visceral adipose tissue of rats

We examined the effects of quercetin‐rich onion peel extract supplementation on adipokine expressions from adipose tissues in a diet‐induced obese animal model. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 24) were randomly assigned into control (n = 8), high fat diet (HF, n = 8) and high fat diet with onion peel extract (HFOE, n = 8). After 8 weeks, serum biochemical parameters, weights of adipose tissues (epididymal, perirenal and mesenteric fats) and adipokine mRNA levels (adiponectin, IL (interleukin)‐6 and visfatin) along with PPAR (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor) γ2 from adipose tissues were measured. After the 8 week supplementation, mesenteric fat weights were lower in the HFOE group than the HF group (p < 0.05). Adiponectin mRNA levels (mesenteric fats) were remarkably higher in the HFOE group than the other groups (p < 0.05 for both). Levels of PPARγ2 mRNA (mesenteric fats) were significantly higher in the HF group (p < 0.05) than those in the control group, but those in the HFOE group were not different from those in the control group. The IL‐6 mRNA levels (perirenal and mesenteric fats) were higher in the HF and HFOE groups, but those in the HFOE group were slightly lower than those in the HF group. In conclusion, quercetin‐rich onion peel extract supplementation influenced adipokine expressions, particularly from mesenteric fat, addressing the modulatory effect of this substance on obesity‐induced inflammation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bile acid‐binding activity of young persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit and its hypolipidemic effect in mice

The hypolipidemic effects and bile acid‐binding properties of young persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit were examined. In an animal experiment, male C57BL/6.Cr mice (n = 5) were fed an AIN‐76‐modified high fat diet supplemented with 2% or 5% (w/w) dried young persimmon fruit (YP) for 10 weeks. The intake of YP significantly enhanced fecal bile acid excretion and lowered the concentration of hepatic lipids and plasma cholesterol. Analysis of gene expression in liver tissue showed that 2% or 5% YP up‐regulated the expression of the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐2 gene. In the 5% group, there were increased expressions of the genes for cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase and the low‐density lipoprotein receptor. Next, the bile acid‐binding ability of YP was analysed in vitro using cholic acid (CA). In 100–2000 µM CA solutions, 1% (w/v) YP adsorbed approximately 60% of CA, while dried mature persimmon fruit adsorbed approximately 20% of CA. The positive control, cholestyramine, adsorbed approximately 80% of CA in the 100–2000 µM CA solutions. A crude tannin extract from YP, which contained 54.7% condensed tannins, adsorbed approximately 78% of CA in the 2000 µM CA solutions. These results suggest that the ability of YP to bind bile acid contributes to its hypolipidemic effect in mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Combination of Glucosyl Hesperidin and Caffeine Exhibits an Anti‐obesity Effect by Inhibition of Hepatic Lipogenesis in Mice

To develop an anti‐obesity agent, we examined the combination effect of glucosyl hesperidin (G‐hesperidin) and caffeine on obesity in mice. High‐fat diet‐induced obese KK mice were fed a low‐fat diet with or without G‐hesperidin, caffeine, or their combination for 2 weeks. Decreases in body weight and significantly lower adipose tissue weight were observed in the combination‐fed mice but not in the G‐hesperidin‐fed or caffeine‐fed mice. DNA microarray analysis of mouse liver suggested that the feeding of G‐hesperidin + caffeine was associated with lower lipogenesis. Therefore, we examined the anti‐lipogenic effect of G‐hesperidin + caffeine in fasted–refed KK mice. Hepatic triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the mice fed G‐hesperidin + caffeine during the refeeding period but not in the mice fed each alone. In addition, hepatic expressions of genes related to lipogenesis, such as sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c or fatty acid synthase, were significantly lower in the mice fed G‐hesperidin + caffeine compared with that in the control mice. These results suggested that G‐hesperidin + caffeine is effective for controlling obesity partly by the inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.