Obesity Medicine最新文献

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Aim

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) lacks a definitive treatment. Previous research indicates that fruits and vegetables may alleviate inflammatory markers and improve NAFLD outcomes. This study investigates the effects of black mulberry leaf extract on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats.

Methods

Male rats were randomized into control and high-fat diet groups. After four months on a high-fat diet, rats received black mulberry leaf extract at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg for eight weeks. Evaluations included weight, blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT).

Results

The high-fat diet resulted in increased weight (P < 0.0001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.0001), triglycerides (P = 0.031), and total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), along with elevated serum levels of AST (P < 0.0001) and ALT (P = 0.009). Administration of black mulberry leaf extract significantly reduced weight (P = 0.008), FPG (P < 0.0001), total cholesterol (P = 0.0001), and ALT (P = 0.0001) and AST (P = 0.0001) levels in a dose-dependent manner at doses of 600 mg, 300 mg, and 150 mg per day.

Conclusion

Black mulberry leaf extract exhibits therapeutic potential in managing NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to comprehensively assess its impacts.

Background

Obesity is poised to be a major healthcare crisis worldwide. Genetic predisposition, inadequate activity, changing lifestyle and dietary patterns are cited as major causes for obesity. Even as a number of anti-obesity medications hit the market, there is still an ongoing quest to explore natural compounds, which are perceived as safer alternatives, for their anti-obesity activity. This study explores the anti-obesity potential of dietary polyphenols vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination using 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids.

Methods

Studies were conducted on differentiated 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Assays conducted on 3T3 L1 adipocytes include Oil red O, fluorescent Nile Red staining and triglyceride quantification to assess effect on lipid droplet accumulation. 2 NBDG was used to assess glucose uptake following drug treatment. 3D spheroid cultures were generated and triglyceride content was quantified. Effect of drug treatment on gene expression was analysed using qRT-PCR. Results of monolayer culture were compared with 3D spheroid models.

Results

Vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower intracellular triglyceride content and lipid droplet accumulation, inhibiting glucose uptake and conversion to triglycerides in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Compounds and their combination downregulated mRNA expression of C/EBP α and PPAR ɣ, FAS, ACC1, GLUT4, LPL, aP2. Vanillin treatment upregulated leptin mRNA expression.

Conclusion

Vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower lipid accumulation and glucose uptake in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and 3D spheroids.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise globally, both in adults and children. The "multiple-hits" hypothesis presents that various factors simultaneously impact the formation of NAFLD, one of which is gut microbiota (GM). Following damage to the intestinal barrier by dysbiosis, which increases permeability, the liver is constantly exposed to bacteria and related products. There is growing evidence that microbial metabolites may contribute to the pathogenicity of NAFLD. The pathogenic mechanisms of GM in NAFLD are not precisely known but gut dysbiosis appears to be associated with the development of NAFLD. In this article, we intend to review the probable mechanisms of GM pathogenesis in NAFLD.

Obesity is a condition when the BMI (Body Mass Index) is 30 or higher. This body condition has become a serious health issue all over the world as it is the potential risk factor of many non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease etc. Ketogenic diet has gained immense popularity as a means of weight loss. Ketogenic diet or low carbohydrate diet with high-fat content has turned out to be effective in weight management and reduce the potential risk factor of non-communicable diseases. However, the aim of this review is to understand the mechanism of production of ketone bodies which mainly act as the source of energy, and the impact of a ketogenic diet on reducing body weight. Extensive literature review was conducted to find out the related original research papers and review papers. This study revealed that timeframe of a ketogenic diet is an important factor in the weight management program. Studies with 6 months time periods were found to be significantly reduce weight than those with more than 6 months study duration. It was also observed that ketogenic diet-based studies with more than 6 months time period are not superior to a normal diet whereas within 6 months of ketogenic diet initiation program, a drastic change in weight can be experienced. Moreover, health practitioners are not fully convinced about this popular weight-reducing diet. Adherence to a ketogenic diet for longer periods is difficult, and the associated risk factors such as increased risk of heart disease, fatty liver, and insulin resistance are also a matter of health concern.