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Published on: October 27, 2016
Preventive Effects of Green Tea Extract against Obesity Development in Zebrafish
Liqing Zang1,2, Yasuhito Shimada2,3,4, Hiroko Nakayama1,2
1Graduate School of Regional Innovation Studies, Mie University, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
Abstract:
Various natural products (NPs) have been used to treat obesity and related diseases. However, the best way to fight obesity is preventive, with accurate body weight management through exercise, diet, or bioactive NPs to avoid obesity development. We demonstrated that green tea extract (GTE) is an anti-obesity NP using a zebrafish obesity model. Based on a hypothesis that GTE can prevent obesity, the objective of this study was to assess GTE's ability to attenuate obesity development. Juvenile zebrafish were pretreated with GTE for seven days before obesity induction via a high-fat diet; adult zebrafish were pretreated with GTE for two weeks before obesity induction by overfeeding. As a preventive intervention, GTE significantly decreased visceral adipose tissue accumulation in juveniles and ameliorated visceral adiposity and plasma triglyceride levels in adult zebrafish obesity models. RNA sequencing analysis was performed using liver tissues from adult obese zebrafish, with or without GTE administration, to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism. Transcriptome analysis revealed that preventive GTE treatment affects several pathways associated with anti-obesity regulation, including activation of STAT and downregulation of CEBP signaling pathways. In conclusion, GTE could be used as a preventive agent against obesity.
Insights
Green tea extract (GTE) acts as a preventive natural product against obesity. Studies show GTE significantly reduces fat accumulation and improves metabolic markers in zebrafish models, highlighting its potential for obesity prevention.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Molecular Biology
- Zebrafish Models
Background:
- Obesity is a growing health concern, necessitating preventive strategies beyond treatment.
- Natural products (NPs) offer potential avenues for weight management and obesity prevention.
- Green tea extract (GTE) is a bioactive NP with potential anti-obesity properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preventive efficacy of GTE in attenuating obesity development.
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying GTE's anti-obesity effects.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish (Danio rerio) models were used, with juvenile and adult fish pretreated with GTE.
- Obesity was induced using high-fat diets (juveniles) or overfeeding (adults).
- Visceral adipose tissue, plasma triglyceride levels, and liver gene expression (RNA sequencing) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Preventive GTE administration significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue in juvenile zebrafish.
- GTE ameliorated visceral adiposity and lowered plasma triglyceride levels in adult zebrafish models.
- RNA sequencing revealed GTE modulates STAT activation and CEBP signaling pathways involved in anti-obesity regulation.
Conclusions:
- Green tea extract demonstrates significant preventive effects against obesity development.
- GTE's mechanism involves the modulation of key signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism and adipogenesis.
- GTE is a promising natural product for the prevention of obesity.
