Methionine restriction on lipid metabolism and its possible mechanisms

Methionine restriction (MR) exerts many beneficial effects, such as increasing longevity, decreasing oxidative damage and alleviating inflammatory responses. Much attention has been recently focused on the effects of MR on metabolic health, especially lipid metabolism, since the increasing incidence of obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes causes a worldwide health problem. In general, MR is considered to increase de novo lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation, with a result of reduced fat accumulation. However, different responses in lipid metabolism between adipose tissue and liver are declared. Therefore, in this review, we will focus on the changes of lipid metabolism responses to dietary MR. Moreover, the comparison of alterations of fat metabolism responses to dietary MR between adipose tissue and liver, and the comparison of changes between rodents and pigs is made to illustrate the tissue- and species-specific responses. In addition, the possible mechanisms that might be engaged in the regulation of MR diet on lipid metabolism are also discussed.