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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice
Published on: May 24, 2018
Fumagillin reduces adipose tissue formation in murine models of nutritionally induced obesity
Henri R Lijnen1, Liesbeth Frederix, Berthe Van Hoef
1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. roger.lijnen@med.kuleuven.be
Abstract:
The effect of fumagillin (a methionine aminopeptidase-type 2 (Met-AP2) inhibitor, with antiangiogenic properties) was investigated in murine models of diet-induced obesity. Eleven-week-old male C57Bl/6 mice (group 1) were given fumagillin by oral gavage at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day during 4 weeks while fed a high-fat diet (HFD) (20.1 kJ/g), and control mice (group 2) received solvent and were pair-fed. At the end of the experiment, body weights in group 1 were significantly lower as compared to group 2 (P < 0.0005). The subcutaneous (SC) and gonadal (GON) fat mass was also significantly lower in group 1 (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05, respectively). Adipocytes were smaller in adipose tissues of mice in group 1, associated with higher adipocyte density. Blood vessel density normalized to adipocyte density was lower in group 1 adipose tissues. However, in mice with established obesity monitored to maintain the same body weight and fat mass as controls, short-term fumagillin administration was also associated with adipocyte hypotrophy (P = 0.01) without affecting blood vessel size or density. Thus, treatment with fumagillin impaired diet-induced obesity in mice, associated with adipocyte hypotrophy but without marked effect on adipose tissue angiogenesis.
Insights
Fumagillin treatment reduced body weight and fat mass in diet-induced obese mice by decreasing adipocyte size. This obesity drug shows potential for managing metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder with significant health implications.
- Diet-induced obesity models in mice are crucial for studying disease mechanisms and potential treatments.
- Methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) inhibitors, like fumagillin, have shown antiangiogenic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of fumagillin in mitigating diet-induced obesity in a murine model.
- To assess the impact of fumagillin on body weight, fat mass, adipocyte size, and adipose tissue angiogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Male C57Bl/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with fumagillin (1 mg/kg/day) or a solvent control for 4 weeks.
- Body weight, subcutaneous (SC) and gonadal (GON) fat mass were measured.
- Adipocyte size, density, and normalized blood vessel density were analyzed in adipose tissues.
- A separate cohort of obese mice received short-term fumagillin to assess effects on established obesity.
Main Results:
- Fumagillin treatment significantly reduced body weight and SC/GON fat mass compared to controls (P < 0.0005, P < 0.005, P < 0.05).
- Adipose tissues exhibited smaller adipocytes and higher adipocyte density in fumagillin-treated mice.
- Normalized blood vessel density was lower in fumagillin-treated mice, but short-term administration in established obesity caused adipocyte hypotrophy without affecting blood vessel parameters.
Conclusions:
- Fumagillin effectively impairs diet-induced obesity in mice.
- The anti-obesity effect is associated with adipocyte hypotrophy.
- Fumagillin does not appear to significantly impact adipose tissue angiogenesis in this context, despite its known antiangiogenic properties.
