Effects of dried natto diet on the transcript levels of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, coactivator-1α and -1ß, and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 genes in laying hens.

The effects of natto, a fermented soybean food, on transcript levels of hen peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARG), PPARG coactivator-1α and -1ß (PPARGC1A and PPARGC1B), and nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCOR1) were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction in white leghorn (Julia strain) hens. Twenty-one- and 34-week-old hens were fed a basic or 3% dried natto-supplemented diet for 8 weeks. In the 21- and 34-week-old hens fed the natto-supplemented diet, hepatic PPARGC1B and NCOR1 transcript levels and adipose and hepatic PPARG transcript levels were significantly lower, respectively, than those in the control group. Furthermore, 34- and 42-week-old hens were fed a basic diet supplemented with 3% of the protein/fiber-enriched fraction (PFB) or 0.6% of the fat-enriched fraction (FAT) of natto, respectively, for 8 weeks. Adipose PPARG transcript levels were higher in the FAT diet group and significantly lower in the PFB diet group than in the control group. However, both FAT and PFB diet groups showed significantly lower hepatic PPARG transcript levels than did the control group. These results suggest that dried natto influences the transcript levels of PPARG, PPARGC1B, and NCOR1, and the FAT and PFB of natto influence the adipose and hepatic PPARG transcript levels in hens.

Metabolomic analyses of plasma and liver of mice fed with immature Citrus tumida peel.

In this study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Citrus tumida hort. ex Tanaka on food intake, body and fat tissue weights, and metabolic profiles of plasma and liver in mice. Supplementation with 5% (w/w) of peels of immature C. tumida (PIC) for 4 weeks significantly suppressed body weight gain and decreased adipose tissue weight in epididymal, perirenal, and subcutaneous fats. Metabolome analyses showed that 2-hydroxyvaleric acid levels were reduced in the blood plasma of mice fed with PIC. PIC supplementation significantly elevated dipeptide (Thr-Asp, Ser-Glu, and Ala-Ala), glucuronic acid, and S-methylglutathione levels, and significantly reduced betaine aldehyde levels in the liver. In conclusion, PIC supplementation affects the metabolism of fatty acids, pectin, glutathione, and choline, showing potential beneficial effects for metabolic syndrome and obesity. PIC may be developed as a functional food and used in the treatment of these diseases.

Dietary Intake of Immature Citrus tumida Hort. ex Tanaka Peels Suppressed Body Weight Gain and Fat Accumulation in a Mouse Model of Acute Obesity.

Citrus fruits have several potential benefits for maintaining our health. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of immature Citrus tumida hort. ex Tanaka (C. tumida) peels using an acute obesity mice model. C57BL/6J male mice were divided into 2 groups; HFD-LL subjected to a high fat diet (HFD) and constant light exposure (LL), and HFDC-LL subjected to a HFD containing immature peel powder of C. tumida (5% w/w) and LL. Dietary ingestion of immature C. tumida peels significantly suppressed body weight gain following decreased epidydimal, perirenal, and subcutaneous fat weights. Blood levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the HFDC-LL were significantly lower than those in the HFD-LL group; however, there was no significant difference in food or calorie intake between the 2 groups. These results suggested that immature C. tumida peels have a beneficial effect on the prevention of obesity and metabolic syndrome via its biochemical activities of lipid metabolism.