Dioscorea batatas extract attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice by decreasing expression of inflammatory

Hyo-Wook Gil1, Eun-Young Lee1, Ji-Hye Lee2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea.

Abstract

Insights

Dioscorea batatas (DB) extract supplementation significantly reduced visceral fat accumulation and obesity markers in mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). DB extract also downregulated genes linked to fat development and inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Obesity Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • High-fat diets (HFD) contribute to obesity and related metabolic disorders.
  • Visceral fat accumulation is a key indicator of metabolic dysfunction.
  • Identifying natural compounds to combat obesity is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Dioscorea batatas (DB) extract on visceral fat accumulation in mice fed an HFD.
  • To assess DB extract's impact on obesity-related biomarkers.
  • To determine if DB extract modulates genes involved in adipogenesis and inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: normal diet, HFD, HFD with 100 mg/kg DB extract, and HFD with 200 mg/kg DB extract.
  • Mice were fed experimental diets for 14 weeks.
  • Micro-computed X-ray tomography (micro-CT) was used to assess visceral fat at 12 weeks.

Main Results:

  • DB extract supplementation prevented HFD-induced increases in body weight, visceral adipose tissue, plasma lipids, and leptin.
  • Micro-CT analysis showed reduced visceral fat area with DB extract.
  • DB extract downregulated adipogenic factors (C/ERBa, CD36) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6) in epididymal adipose tissue.

Conclusions:

  • Dioscorea batatas extract demonstrates potential in preventing diet-induced obesity.
  • DB extract may exert its effects by downregulating adipogenesis and inflammation in visceral adipose tissue.
  • These findings suggest DB extract as a potential therapeutic agent for obesity management.

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