The combination of resveratrol and conjugated linoleic acid attenuates the individual effects of these molecules on triacylglycerol metabolism in adipose tissue.

PURPOSE: The combination of resveratrol + conjugated linoleic acid (RSV + CLA) did not show the body fat-lowering effect exhibited by these molecules when administered separately. This study aimed to find metabolic explanations for this situation in an experimental model of diet-induced obesity. METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: rats treated with saline (control), resveratrol (RSV), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and a combination of these molecules (RSV + CLA). RESULTS: Rats treated with RSV + CLA did not show the reduction in heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (HR-LPL) and fatty acid synthase activities observed in RSV group or the increased HSL expression found in RSV and CLA groups. These animals showed reduced sirtuin 1 expression and CLA isomer amounts in adipose tissue. Finally, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was increased. CONCLUSION: The attenuation of the effects induced in adipose tissue triacylglycerol metabolism by RSV and CLA separately, such as the decrease in lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake and the increase in lipolysis, contributes to explain the lack of body fat-lowering effect of the combination RSV + CLA.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG administration partially prevents diet-induced insulin resistance in rats: a comparison with its heat-inactivated parabiotic.

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are obesity-related health alterations, featuring an ever-increasing prevalence. Besides inadequate feeding patterns, gut microbiota alterations stand out as potential contributors to these metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the administration of a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) effectively prevents diet-induced insulin resistance in rats and to compare these potential effects with those exerted by its heat-inactivated parabiotic. For this purpose, 34 male Wistar rats were fed a standard or a high-fat high-fructose diet, alone or supplemented with viable or heat-inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The body and white adipose tissue weight increases, induced by the obesogenic diet, were prevented by probiotic and parabiotic administration. The trend towards higher basal glucose levels and significantly higher serum insulin concentration observed in the non-treated animals fed with the obesogenic diet were effectively reverted by both treatments. Similar results were also found for serum adiponectin and leptin, whose levels were brought back by the probiotic and parabiotic administration to values similar to those of the control animals. Noteworthily, parabiotic administration significantly reduced skeletal muscle triglyceride content and activated CPT-1b compared to the non-treated animals. Finally, both treatments enhanced Akt and AS160 phosphorylation in the skeletal muscle compared to the non-treated animals; however, only parabiotic administration increased GLUT-4 protein expression in this tissue. These results suggest that heat-inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG seem to be more effective than its probiotic of origin in preventing high-fat high-fructose diet-induced insulin resistance in rats.

Resveratrol attenuates steatosis in obese Zucker rats by decreasing fatty acid availability and reducing oxidative stress.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common manifestations of chronic liver disease worldwide. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of resveratrol on liver fat accumulation, as well as on the activity of those enzymes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in fa/fa Zucker rats. A total of thirty rats were assigned to three experimental groups and orally treated with resveratrol for 6 weeks, or without resveratrol (C: control group; RSV15 group: 15 mg/kg body weight per d; RSV45 group: 45 mg/kg body weight per d). Liver histological analysis was performed by microscopy. Levels of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ia (CPT-Ia), acyl-coenzyme A oxidase (ACO), fatty acid synthase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were assessed by spectrophotometry, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase was assessed by radiometry. Commercial kits were used to determine serum TAG, NEFA, total HDL and non-HDL-cholesterol, glycerol, ketonic bodies, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hepatic TAG, thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates, GSH (GSSG) and superoxide dismutase. Resveratrol reduced liver weight and TAG content. It did not modify the activity of lipogenic enzymes but it did increase CPT-Ia and ACO activities. NEFA and ALP were reduced in both resveratrol-treated groups. AST/GOT was reduced only by the lowest dose. ALT/GPT, TAG and adiponectin remained unchanged. Resveratrol reduced liver oxidative stress. This study demonstrates that resveratrol can protect the liver from NAFLD by reducing fatty acid availability. Moreover, resveratrol also protects liver from oxidative stress.

Pterostilbene modifies triglyceride metabolism in hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat high-fructose feeding: a comparison with its analog resveratrol.

The use of phenolic compounds as a new therapeutic approach against NAFLD has emerged recently. In the present study, we aim to study the effect of pterostilbene in the prevention of liver steatosis developed as a consequence of high-fat (saturated) high-fructose feeding, by analysing the changes induced in metabolic pathways involved in triglyceride accumulation. Interestingly, a comparison with the anti-steatotic effect of its parent compound resveratrol will be made for the first time. Rats were distributed into 5 experimental groups and fed either a standard laboratory diet or a high-fat high-fructose diet supplemented with or without pterostilbene (15 or 30 mg per kg per d) or resveratrol (30 mg per kg per d) for 8 weeks. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, NEFA and transaminase levels were quantified. Liver histological analysis was carried out by haematoxylin-eosin staining. Different pathways involved in liver triglyceride metabolism, including fatty acid synthesis, uptake and oxidation, triglyceride assembly and triglyceride release, were studied. Pterostilbene was shown to partially prevent high-fat high-fructose feeding induced liver steatosis in rats, demonstrating a dose-response pattern. In this dietary model, it acts mainly by reducing de novo lipogenesis and increasing triglyceride assembly and release. Improvement in mitochondrial functionality was also appreciated. At the same dose, the magnitude of pterostilbene and resveratrol induced effects, as well as the involved mechanisms of action, were similar.

Effects of different doses of resveratrol on body fat and serum parameters in rats fed a hypercaloric diet.

Recently resveratrol, a compound naturally occurring in various plants, has been proposed as a potential anti-obesity compound. The aim of the present work was to analyse the effects of different doses of resveratrol on body fat and serum parameters in rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed on a hypercaloric diet for 6 weeks. The doses oftrans-resveratrol used were 6, 30 and 60 mg/kg body weight/d in RSV1, RSV2 and RSV3 groups respectively. The stability of resveratrol when added to the diet was evaluated. Blood samples were collected, and white adipose tissue from different anatomical locations, interscapular brown adipose tissue, gastrocnemious muscles and liver were weighed. Commercial kits were used to measure serum cholesterol, glucose, triacylglycerols and non-esterified fatty acids. While the lowest dose did not have a body fat reducing effect, the intermediate dose reduced all the white adipose depots. The highest dose significantly reduced mesenteric and subcutaneous depots but not epididymal and perirenal tissues. Although the reduction in all the anatomical locations analysed was 19% in the RSV3 group, in the RSV2 group it was 24%. No significant differences among the experimental groups were found in brown adipose tissue, gastrocnemious muscle or liver weights. Serum parameters were not affected by resveratrol intake because no differences among the experimental groups were observed. These results suggest that resveratrol is a molecule with potential anti-obesity effect. The most effective of the three experimental doses was 30 mg/kg body weight/d.

A comparison between CLNA and CLA effects on body fat, serum parameters and liver composition.

The potential of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as an anti-obesity molecule for humans is still a matter for debate. Thus, a great deal of scientific work is focussed on the research of new effective molecules without deleterious effects on health. The aim of the present work was to analyse the effects of jacaranda seed oil, rich in a conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA), jacaric acid (cis-8,trans-10,cis-12), on body fat, serum parameters and liver composition in rats, and to compare these effects with those of trans-10,cis-12 CLA. Twenty-six male Wistar rats were divided into three groups fed with high-fat diets, supplemented or not (control group) with 0.5% trans-10,cis-12 CLA (CLA group) or 0.5% jacaric acid (CLNA group) for 7 weeks. No statistical differences in food intake or in final body weight were found. Whereas CLA reduced adipose tissue size, CLNA did not. Both CLA and CLNA significantly reduced non-HDL-cholesterol. In spite of a lack of significant changes in glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR index was significantly increased, as well as did non-esterified fatty acid levels in CLNA-fed rats. No changes in liver composition were observed. In conclusion, under our experimental conditions, jacaric acid, unlike CLA, does not show a body-fat lowering effect. Even though it leads to a healthy lipoprotein profile, it impairs insulin function. Consequently, it cannot be proposed as an anti-obesity molecule.

Has the adipokine profile an influence on the catch-up growth type in small for gestational age infants?

Infants born small for gestational age (SGA) are at increased risk of perinatal morbidity, persistent short stature, and metabolic alterations in later life. Moreover, the post-natal growth pattern of SGA infants may be an important contributor to health outcomes later in life, which can be influenced by adipokines. The aims of this study were to compare plasma adipokine profiles (leptin, adiponectin, vaspin, chemerin, and nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV/CCN3)) among SGA newborns aged 3 months, with low, normal, or high catch-up, to search for potential differences between males and females and to analyze the evolution of several adipokines in plasma from SGA newborns between 3 and 24 months. This prospective, longitudinal study was addressed in SGA Caucasian subjects at Hospital Universitario de Álava-Txagorritxu. We observed that infants with fast catch-up showed significantly lower birth weight than the other two groups. As far as adipokines are concerned, they could have an influence on catch-up type because differences among the three experimental groups were found. It may be proposed that health prognoses in infants with slow and fast catch-up are opposite, not only in adulthood but also during their first months. Finally, adipokine evolution patterns during the first 24 months of age differ, depending on the adipokine, and 24-month-old males show lower levels of leptin, adiponectin, and omentin than females.

Effects of fluoxetine administration on hypothalamic melanocortin system in obese Zucker rats.

The aim of the present work was to study the potential involvement of melanocortin system in the anorectic mechanism of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in obese Zucker rats. Male obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats were administered fluoxetine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) daily for two weeks. The control group was given 0.9% NaCl solution. RT-PCR for pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), Agouti gene related peptide (AgRP) and melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4-R) in the hypothalamus, as well as regional immunostaining for alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and MC4-R were carried out. Fluoxetine administration increased POMC expression and reduced MC4-R expression in the hypothalamus, without changes in AgRP mRNA levels. Moreover, an increase in the numbers of alpha-MSH positively immunostained neural cells in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), as well as a significant decrease in the numbers of neural cells positively immunostained for MC4-R in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), without changes in lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), were observed. These results suggest the involvement of alpha-MSH in central fluoxetine anorectic action.

Quantitative gas chromatographic method for the analysis of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers of the conjugated linoleic acid in liver.

A quantitative GC method for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers of physiological significance (cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA) as non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) or triacylglycerols (TAG) was developed. Furthermore, the effect of the internal standard addition point (sample or fat extract) was studied. Response linearity, recovery and precision assays, detection and quantification limits were determined. Linearity was demonstrated over a range from 0.1 to 10 microg/mL. When CLA isomers were present as NEFA, the recovery significantly decreased (P< or =0.05) from 76% to 27.1% (cis-9, trans-11 CLA) and 28.5% (trans-10, cis-12 CLA) when the standards were added to the fat extract or to the initial tissue, respectively. As an application, liver samples from hamsters fed a diet supplemented with both CLA isomers were analyzed. The CLA isomers in liver samples were detected with reasonable reproducibility.

Comparative effects of energy restriction and resveratrol intake on glycemic control improvement.

Resveratrol (RSV) has been proposed as an energy restriction mimetic. This study aimed to compare the effects of RSV and energy restriction on insulin resistance induced by an obesogenic diet. Any additive effect of both treatments was also analyzed. Rats were fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet for 6 weeks. They were then distributed in four experimental groups which were either fed a standard control diet (C), or treated with RSV (30 mg/kg/d), or submitted to energy restriction (R, 15%), or treated with RSV and submitted to energy restriction (RR). A glucose tolerance test was performed, and serum glucose, insulin, fructosamine, adiponectin, and leptin concentrations determined. Muscle triacylglycerol content and protein expression of insulin receptor (IRß), protein kinase B (Akt), Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) were measured. In RSV rats, fructosamine concentrations were reduced, HOMA-IR remained unchanged, but glucose tolerance was improved, without changes in phosphorylation of IRß, Akt, and AS160 or in GLUT-4 protein expression. Rats under energy restriction showed an improvement in all the markers related to glycemic control, as well as increased phosphorylation of AS160 and protein expression of GLUT-4. In rats from RR group the results were similar to R group, with the exception of IRß and Akt phosphorylation, which were increased. In conclusion, mild energy restriction is more efficient than intake of RSV within a standard balanced diet, and acts by means of a different mechanism from that of RSV. No additive effects between RSV and energy restriction were observed. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(3):371-378, 2017.

Effects of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers on liver and adipose tissue fatty acid profile in hamsters.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA on FA composition of TAG in epididymal adipose tissue and liver, and of hepatic phospholipids PL. Twenty-four Syrian Golden hamsters were randomly divided into three groups of eight animals each and fed semipurified atherogenic diets supplemented with either 0.5 g/100 g diet of linoleic acid or cis-9,trans-11 or trans-12,cis-9 CLA for 6 wk. Total lipids were extracted, and TAG and PL were separated by TLC. FA profile in lipid species from liver and adipose tissue, as well as in feces, was determined by GC. Trans-10,cis-12 CLA feeding significantly reduced linoleic and linolenic acids in TAG from both tissues, leading to reduced total PUFA content. Moreover, in the epididymal adipose tissue docosenoic and arachidonic acids were significantly increased. In liver PL, although no changes in individual FA were observed, total saturated FA (SFA) were decreased. No changes in TAG and PL FA profiles were induced by the cis-9,trans-11 CLA. TAG and PL incorporated cis-9,trans-11 more readily than trans-10,cis-12 CLA. This difference was not due to differential intestinal absorption, as shown by the analysis of feces. We concluded that only trans-10,cis-12 CLA induces changes in FA composition. Whereas increased PUFA content was observed in either liver or adipose tissue TAG, decreased SFA were found in liver PL. Incorporation of cis-9,trans-11 CLA in TAG is greater than that of trans-10,cis-12 CLA, but this is not due to differences in intestinal absorption.

MicroRNAs involved in the browning process of adipocytes.

The present review focuses on the role of miRNAs in the control of white adipose tissue browning, a process which describes the recruitment of adipocytes showing features of brown adipocytes in white adipose tissue. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs (19-22 nucleotides) involved in gene regulation. Although the main effect of miRNAs is the inhibition of the translational machinery, thereby preventing the production of the protein product, the activation of protein translation has also been described in the literature. In addition to modifying translation, miRNAs binding to its target mRNAs also trigger the recruitment and association of mRNA decay factors, leading to mRNA destabilization, degradation, and thus to the decrease in expression levels. Although a great number of miRNAs have been reported to potentially regulate genes that play important roles in the browning process, only a reduced number of studies have demonstrated experimentally an effect on this process associated to changes in miRNA expressions, so far. These studies have shown, by using either primary adipocyte cultures or experimental models of mice (KO mice, mice overexpressing a specific miRNA), that miR-196a, miR-26, and miR-30 are needed for browning process development. By contrast, miR-155, miR-133, miR-27b, and miR-34 act as negative regulators of this process [corrected]. Further studies are needed to fully describe the miRNA network-involved white adipose tissue browning regulation.

Body fat-lowering effect of conjugated linoleic acid is not due to increased lipolysis.

The ability of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to reduce adiposity may be due to changes in energy expenditure and/or direct effects on adipocyte lipid metabolism. The aim of the present work was to analyse if CLA supplementation modifies lipolytic activity in adipose tissue from hamsters fed on high-fat diet. Hamsters were divided into two groups and fed on diets supplemented with either 0.5% linoleic acid (control) or 0.5% trans-10,cis-12 CLA. After 6 weeks, animals were fasted overnight and adipose tissues were dissected and weighed. Adipocytes were isolated by collagenase digestion and incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer with or without several agents acting at different levels of the lipolytic cascade. Adipocyte diameters were measured by microscopy. Adipose tissue DNA content was assessed by spectrophotometry. Animals fed on CLA diet showed significantly reduced adipose tissue mass. No differences between both groups was found for basal lipolysis, lipolytic effects of isoproterenol, forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, and pD2 for isoproterenol. A similar total DNA amount was found in adipose tissue of both groups, showing that CLA diet had no effect on total cell number per fat pad. Although DNA content per gram tissue, an indirect reverse index of cell size, was significantly increased in CLA fed hamsters, microscopy did not reveal differences in medium mature adipocyte diameter, nor in cell size distribution between both groups. These results suggest that adipose tissue size reduction induced by trans-10,cis-12 CLA intake is not due to changes in lipolysis. Reduced preadipocyte differentiation into mature adipocytes may account for this fat-lowering effect.

Reshaping faecal gut microbiota composition by the intake of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in high-fat sucrose diet-fed rats.

Diet-induced obesity is associated to an imbalance in the normal gut microbiota composition. Resveratrol and quercetin, widely known for their health beneficial properties, have low bioavailability, and when they reach the colon, they are targets of the gut microbial ecosystem. Hence, the use of these molecules in obesity might be considered as a potential strategy to modulate intestinal bacterial composition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether trans-resveratrol and quercetin administration could counteract gut microbiota dysbiosis produced by high-fat sucrose diet (HFS) and, in turn, improve gut health. Wistar rats were randomised into four groups fed an HFS diet supplemented or not with trans-resveratrol [15 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day], quercetin (30 mg/kg BW/day) or a combination of both polyphenols at those doses. Administration of both polyphenols together prevented body weight gain and reduced serum insulin levels. Moreover, individual supplementation of trans-resveratrol and quercetin effectively reduced serum insulin levels and insulin resistance. Quercetin supplementation generated a great impact on gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels, attenuating Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and inhibiting the growth of bacterial species previously associated to diet-induced obesity (Erysipelotrichaceae, Bacillus, Eubacterium cylindroides). Overall, the administration of quercetin was found to be effective in lessening HFS-diet-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. In contrast, trans-resveratrol supplementation alone or in combination with quercetin scarcely modified the profile of gut bacteria but acted at the intestinal level, altering the mRNA expression of tight-junction proteins and inflammation-associated genes.

Shifts in microbiota species and fermentation products in a dietary model enriched in fat and sucrose.

The gastrointestinal tract harbours a 'superorganism' called the gut microbiota, which is known to play a crucial role in the onset and development of diverse diseases. This internal ecosystem, far from being a static environment, can be manipulated by diet and dietary components. Feeding animals with high-fat sucrose (HFS) diets entails diet-induced obesity, a model which is usually used in research to mimic the obese phenotype of Western societies. The aim of the present study was to identify gut microbiota dysbiosis and associated metabolic changes produced in male Wistar rats fed a HFS diet for 6 weeks and compare it with the basal microbial composition. For this purpose, DNA extracted from faeces at baseline and after treatment was analysed by amplification of the V4-V6 region of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene using 454 pyrosequencing. Short-chain fatty acids, i.e. acetate, propionate and butyrate, were also evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. At the end of the treatment, gut microbiota composition significantly differed at phylum level (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria) and class level (Erisypelotrichi, Deltaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia and Bacilli). Interestingly, the class Clostridia showed a significant decrease after HFS diet treatment, which correlated with visceral adipose tissue, and is likely mediated by dietary carbohydrates. Of particular interest, Clostridium cluster XIVa species were significantly reduced and changes were identified in the relative abundance of other specific bacterial species (Mitsuokella jalaludinii, Eubacterium ventriosum, Clostridium sp. FCB90-3, Prevotella nanceiensis, Clostridium fusiformis, Clostridium sp. BNL1100 and Eubacterium cylindroides) that, in some cases, showed opposite trends to their relative families. These results highlight the relevance of characterising gut microbial population differences at species level and contribute to understand the plausible link between diet and specific gut bacterial species that are able to influence the inflammatory status, intestinal barrier function and obesity development.

Pterostilbene improves glycaemic control in rats fed an obesogenic diet: involvement of skeletal muscle and liver.

This study aims to determine whether pterostilbene improves glycaemic control in rats showing insulin resistance induced by an obesogenic diet. Rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group and two groups treated with either 15 mg kg(-1) d(-1) (PT15) or 30 mg kg(-1) d(-1) of pterostilbene (PT30). HOMA-IR was decreased in both pterostilbene-treated groups, but this reduction was greater in the PT15 group (-45% and -22% respectively vs. the control group). The improvement of glycaemic control was not due to a delipidating effect of pterostilbene on skeletal muscle. In contrast, GLUT4 protein expression was increased (+58% and +52% vs. the control group), suggesting an improved glucose uptake. The phosphorylated-Akt/total Akt ratio was significantly enhanced in the PT30 group (+25%), and therefore a more efficient translocation of GLUT4 is likely. Additionally, in this group the amount of cardiotrophin-1 was significantly increased (+65%). These data suggest that the effect of pterostilbene on Akt is mediated by this cytokine. In the liver, glucokinase activity was significantly increased only in the PT15 group (+34%), and no changes were observed in glucose-6-phosphatase activity. The beneficial effect of pterostilbene on glycaemic control was more evident with the lower dose, probably because in the PT15 group both the muscle and the liver were contributing to this effect, but in the PT30 group only the skeletal muscle was responsible. In conclusion, pterostilbene improves glycaemic control in rats showing insulin resistance induced by an obesogenic diet. An increase in hepatic glucokinase activity, as well as in skeletal muscle glucose uptake, seems to be involved in the anti-diabetic effect of this phenolic compound.

In vivo lipolysis in adipose tissue from two anatomical locations measured by microdialysis.

In this study, the difference in lipolytic response in inguinal subcutaneous and epididymal adipose tissues of male Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed in vivo by microdialysis. Probes were perfused with Ringer solution in which increasing concentrations of isoproterenol (10(-7) - 10(-4) mol/L) were added. Glycerol release, expressed as extracellular glycerol concentration, was used as lipolytic index. The effect of isoproterenol on local blood flow was investigated using the ethanol technique. No differences were found in the interstitial glycerol concentration between both adipose tissues under basal conditions. When isoproterenol was perfused, a dose-response increase in glycerol production was induced in both tissues. Interstitial glycerol concentration from epididymal adipose tissue was higher than that of inguinal subcutaneous depot at all isoproterenol concentrations. No vasodilatory effect of isoproterenol was found. These results suggest that epididymal adipose tissue is more responsive in vivo to beta-adrenergic lipolysis stimulation than is subcutaneous fat pad from the inguinal region.

Differential effects of diets that provide different lipid sources on hepatic lipogenic activities in rats under ad libitum or restricted feeding.

This work was designed to study the effect of different lipid sources on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity in rats fed ad libitum or energy-controlled diets. Male Wistar rats were fed diets containing 40% of energy as fat (olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, or beef tallow) for 4 wk. In experiment 1 rats had free access to food, and in experiment 2 rats were fed a controlled amount of food. In both experiments, rats fed the olive oil diets had higher activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (P < 0.05) than rats fed the other fats. It is unlikely that this effect could be attributed to the stimulation by insulin or triiodothyronine because serum values did not differ among the groups. Enzymatic activities were positively and significantly correlated with liver triacylglycerol content, but not with serum triacylglycerol levels. No interaction between lipid source and feeding protocol was found. Oleic acid and components in olive oil other than fatty acids, such as phytosterols, may account for the effects of dietary fat on lipogenic enzyme activity.

Lipoprotein lipase and lipogenic enzyme activities in adipose tissue from rats fed different lipid sources.

This work was designed to study the effect of different lipid sources on the activities of lipoprotein lipase and lipogenic enzymes in adipose tissue from rats fed ad libitum or energy-controlled diets. Male Wistar rats were fed diets containing 40% of energy as fat (olive oil, sunflower oil, palm oil or beef tallow), for 4 wk. Under ad libitum feeding no differences were found among dietary fat groups in final body weight, adipose tissue weights and total body fat. Under energy-controlled feeding, despite isoenergetic intake, rats fed the beef tallow diet gained significantly less weight than rats fed the other three diets. Beef tallow fed rats showed the lowest values for adipose tissue weights and total body fat. When rats had free access to food no effect of dietary lipid source on lipogenic enzyme activities was found. In contrast, under energy-controlled feeding rats fed the beef tallow diet showed significantly higher activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and fatty acid synthase than rats fed the other three diets. Heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity in perirenal and subcutaneous adipose tissues was not different among rats fed olive oil, safflower oil, palm oil or beef tallow. When comparing both adipose tissue anatomical locations, significantly higher activities were found in subcutaneous than in perirenal fat pad independently of dietary fat. In conclusion, under our experimental protocol, lipogenesis in rat adipose tissue does not seem to be affected by dietary fat type.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accumulation and serum lipids in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a mixture of naturally occurring positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid that exist in dairy products and meat. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of c-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12 CLA isomers on body fat accumulation and serum lipids in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet. Hamsters were divided in four groups: one group was fed a chow diet (control) and the other three groups were given semi-purified atherogenic diets with 0.5% linoleic acid (LA), c-9,t-11 or t-10,c-12 CLA. Body weight and food intake were measured daily. After 6 weeks, adipose tissues from different anatomical locations and liver were dissected and weighed. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerol levels, as well as total and free cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipid content in liver were determined by enzymatic methods. No differences in either energy intake or final body weight were found. The addition of t-10,c-12 CLA reduced fat accumulation and led to lower serum cholesterol, as compared with LA group. Nevertheless the level remained higher than in the control animals. The reduction in serum cholesterol was limited to LDL-c. This isomer also reduced triacylglycerol content in liver but did not modify serum triacylglycerol level. In summary, the present study demonstrates that t-10,c-12 CLA is the biologically active agent when anti-obesity and hypocholesterolaemic properties of CLA are considered. In contrast, the isomer c-9,t-11 has no effect on lipid metabolism in hamsters.