Conjugated linoleic acid and L-carnitine combination effects on obesity-related miRNAs in diet-induced obese rats.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major global health issue, resulting in significant costs and increased mortality rates. Finding effective treatments for obesity is therefore essential. This study investigated the combined effects of L-Carnitine (LC) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on weight loss and adipose tissue microRNA levels. SUBJECTS /METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g and about 8 weeks old were fed either a normal fat diet (NFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Afterwards, the HFD group was randomly divided into four subgroups: control, LC (200 mg kg-1), CLA (500 mg kg-1), and both (n = 8 in each group). The study lasted for an additional 4 weeks. The animals' weights were recorded regularly, and after 12 weeks, miRNAs were extracted from epididymal adipose tissue and analysed using real-time PCR. The miRNA expression levels of miR-27a and miR-143 were compared between groups using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and one-way ANOVA tests in SPSS software. RESULTS: At the end of the first 8 weeks, the HFD group weighed significantly more than the NFD group. LC significantly decreased weight gain (4.2%) compared to the control group, whereas CLA alone (3.5%) or in combination with LC (3.1%) did not significantly slow weight gain. Real-time PCR results showed that the HFD group had higher miR-143 levels and lower miR-27a levels compared to the NFD group. LC and CLA increased miR-27a expression after 4 weeks, but their combination decreased miR-27a expression. CLA alone reduced miR-143 expression, whereas LC had almost no effect. Their combination also reduced miR-143 expression. CONCLUSION: CLA and LC, which are considered weight loss supplements, can potentially regulate metabolism and cellular pathways. However, their combination did not show a synergistic effect on weight loss, possibly due to the reduction in miR-27a expression. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of combined fat burners on obesity treatment.

The Effect of 40-Hz White LED Therapy on Structure-Function of Brain Mitochondrial ATP-Sensitive Ca-Activated Large-Conductance Potassium Channel in Amyloid Beta Toxicity.

Photobiomodulation therapy has become the focus of medical research in many areas such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), because of its modulatory effect on cellular processes through light energy absorption via photoreceptors/chromophores located in the mitochondria. However, there are still many questions around the underlying mechanisms. This study was carried out to unravel whether the function-structure of ATP-sensitive mitoBKCa channels, as crucial components for maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis, can be altered subsequent to light therapy in AD. Induction of Aß neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats was done by intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1-42. After a week, light-treated rats were exposed to 40-Hz white light LEDs, 15 min for 7 days. Electrophysiological properties of mitoBKCa channel were investigated using a channel incorporated into the bilayer lipid membrane, and mitoBKCa-ß2 subunit expression was determined using western blot analysis in Aß-induced toxicity and light-treated rats. Our results describe that conductance and open probability (Po) of mitoBKCa channel decreased significantly and was accompanied by a Po curve rightward shift in mitochondrial preparation in Aß-induced toxicity rats. We also showed a significant reduction in expression of mitoBKCa-ß2 subunit, which is partly responsible for a leftward shift in BKCa Po curve in low calcium status. Interestingly, we provided evidence of a significant improvement in channel conductance and Po after light therapy. We also found that light therapy improved mitoBKCa-ß2 subunit expression, increasing it close to saline group. The current study explains a light therapy improvement in brain mitoBKCa channel function in the Aß-induced neurotoxicity rat model, an effect that can be linked to increased expression of ß2 subunit.

The 40-Hz White Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Improves the Structure-Function of the Brain Mitochondrial KATP Channel and Respiratory Chain Activities in Amyloid Beta Toxicity.

It has been described that using noninvasive exposure to 40-Hz white light LED reduces amyloid-beta, a peptide thought to initiate neurotoxic events in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms remain to be identified. Since AD impairs mitochondrial potassium channels and respiratory chain activity, the objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of 40-Hz white light LED on structure-function of mitoKATP channel and brain mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ΔΨm in AD. Single mitoKATP channel was considered using a channel incorporated into the bilayer lipid membrane and expression of mitoKATP-Kir6.1 subunit as a pore-forming subunit of the channel was determined using a western blot analysis in Aß1-42 toxicity and light-treated rats. Our results indicated a severe decrease in mito-KATP channel permeation and Kir6.1 subunit expression coming from the Aß1-42-induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that Aß1-42-induced neurotoxicity decreased activities of complexes I and IV and increased ROS production and ΔΨm. Surprisingly, light therapy increased channel permeation and mitoKATP-Kir6.1 subunit expression. Noninvasive 40-Hz white light LED treatment also increased activities of complexes I and IV and decreased ROS production and ΔΨm up to ~ 70%. Here, we report that brain mito-KATP channel and respiratory chain are, at least in part, novel targets of 40-Hz white light LED therapy in AD.

Adipose tissue miRNA level variation through conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in diet-induced obese rats.

BACKGROUND: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is an octadecadienoic acid isomer, is believed to play different positive physiological roles, such as lowering body fat. Due to some reported side effects of CLA, like lipodystrophy and impaired glucose metabolism, it is important to establish its safety by understanding detailed molecular mechanisms. One of these mechanisms may be the role of this dietary agent in modifying the function and activity of microRNAs (miRNAs). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate how adipocyte miR-27a and miR-143 expression may be influenced by CLA in obese rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal-fat diet (NFD) and high-fat diet (HFD) groups. After 8 weeks, the rats were weighed and half of the diet-induced obese rats were randomly selected to receive 500 mg CLA per 1 kg body weight for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, epididymal fat was isolated to investigate the expression level of miRNAs by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: After 12 weeks, the obese rats in the HFD group, compared with rats in the NFD group, demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of miR-27a (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in the expression of miR-143 (p < 0.05). In the group which had received CLA for a 4-week period, these events were reversed. Moreover, the rats in this group gained less weight than other rats in HFD groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that CLA, as an anti-obesity agent, may minimize abnormal changes in miRNA expression in obesity. This suggests a new pathway for weight loss; however, further studies are needed.

Effect of lecithin nanoliposome or soybean lecithin supplemented by pomegranate extract on post-thaw flow cytometric, microscopic and oxidative parameters in ram semen.

This investigation was carried out to study the effect of soybean lecithin 1.5% (wt/vol) (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg l-1 pomegranate extract (PE)) or PE-loaded lecithin nanoliposome (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg l-1) to Tris-based extender. Sperm motility (CASA), viability, membrane integrity (HOS test), abnormalities, mitochondrial activity, apoptosis status, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) and antioxidant activities (GPX, SOD) were investigated following freeze-thawing. No significant differences were detected in motility parameters, viability, membrane integrity, and mitochondria activity after thawing sperm between soybean lecithin and lecithin nanoliposomes. It was shown that PE5 significantly improved sperm total and progressive motility, membrane integrity, viability, mitochondria activity, TAC and reduced lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde concentration). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic sperm in PE5 extenders was significantly the lowest among other treatments. Sperm abnormalities, SOD and GPX were not affected by the antioxidant supplements. For apoptotic status, no differences were observed between soybean lecithin and lecithin nanoliposome. We showed that lecithin nanoliposome extender can be a beneficial alternative extender to protect ram sperm during cryopreservation without any adverse effects. It was also observed that regarding pomegranate concentration, PE5 can improve the quality of ram semen after thawing.

Influence of L-carnitine on the Expression Level of Adipose Tissue miRNAs Related to Weight Changes in Obese Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Molecular mechanisms of most anti-obesity drugs are remained to be clear. MicroRNAs that are noncoding RNA molecules supposed to regulate biological processes concomitant to obesity and have attracted a lot of attention to themselves. The miR-27a and miR-143 expression levels in obese and non-obese rats during weight changes and L-carnitine (LC) effects on them was investigated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study 12 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal fat diet and high fat diet groups to develop obesity. After 8 weeks rats were weighted and half of diet induced obese rats were randomly selected to receive 200 mg LC kg -1 b.wt. for 4 weeks. At the end epididymal fat was isolated to investigate expression level of microRNAs by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, high fat diet in comparison with normal fat diet mediated significant decrease and increase in expression levels of miR-27a and miR-143 , respectively. These changes were modified in groups, which had received LC in a 4 weeks period. Furthermore, rats in this group gained less weight. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that the changes of microRNAs expression probably play a role in pathogenesis of obesity, might be modulated by means of dietary agents and supplements and modify weight gain trend.