Anti-Obesity Effect of Rice Bran Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Nutrition Science
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Obesity is linked to adipose tissue growth, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
• Rice bran extract (RBE) possesses antioxidant and cardioprotective properties with potential health benefits.
• RBE may influence adipose tissue development and obesity regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of RBE on adipose tissue growth and obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model.
• To determine if RBE can modulate key factors involved in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling within adipose tissue.

Main Methods:

• Male ICR mice were fed an HFD for 8 weeks, followed by supplementation with RBE (220 and 1,100 mg/kg/d).
• Evaluated body weight, adipose tissue mass, and blood vessel density.
• Assessed mRNA expression of angiogenic factors, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues via real-time PCR.

Main Results:

• RBE administration significantly reduced body weight and adipose tissue mass in HFD-induced obese mice.
• RBE treatment decreased blood vessel density in the adipose tissue.
• RBE downregulated VEGF and MMP-2 mRNA levels in visceral fat.

Conclusions:

• High concentrations of RBE significantly reduce adipose tissue mass and prevent obesity development in HFD-induced obese mice.
• The anti-obesity effects of RBE may be partly mediated through an anti-angiogenic mechanism.
• RBE shows potential as a dietary supplement for managing obesity.