Protective effects of capric acid-rich medium-long-medium chain type structured lipids against metabolic abnormalities in mice fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of capric acid-enriched medium- and long-chain structured lipids (SLs) microencapsulated synthesized by microbial lipase and grape seed oil (GSO) on obesity-related complications in mice subjected to a high-fat diet (HFD). Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to various dietary groups: control diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), control diet with GSO (CDGO), high-fat diet with GSO (HFDGO), control diet with SLs (CDSL), and high-fat diet with SLs (HFDSL). Mice on the CD, CDGO, and CDSL diets exhibited reduced body weight gain compared to those on the HFD. Organ weights, including liver, heart, and testicles, were significantly higher in the HFD group compared to the CD, CDSL, and HFDSL groups, suggesting a potential protective effect of SLs. Dietary supplementation with SLs, particularly CDSL and HFDSL, enhanced glucose tolerance in HFD-fed mice. Insulin levels were markedly elevated in the HFD group; however, mice receiving HFDSL showed insulin levels comparable to those in the control groups (CD and HFDGO). The incorporation of capric acid into SLs resulted in lower leptin levels compared to GSO. Furthermore, a protective effect against hepatocellular micro-vesicular steatosis (MIS) and macro-vesicular steatosis (MAS) was observed in mice fed SLs-rich diets, especially CDSL and HFDSL. Total steatosis (TS) was significantly lower in mice on the CDGO and CDSL diets compared to those on the control diet (CD), indicating a notable protective effect of SLs treatment. In conclusion, capric acid-rich SLs derived from GSO demonstrate potential as functional oils, offering protection against obesity and associated metabolic disorders, evidenced by measurements such as 23.30 U/L of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 105.00 UI/L of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 93.54 mg/dL of triglycerides (TAGs), and 183.54 mg/dL of cholesterol.