Celastrol attenuates HFD-induced obesity and improves metabolic function independent of adiponectin signaling

Celastrol, a leptin sensitiser, has been shown to inhibit food intake and reduce body weight in diet-induced obese mice, making it a potential treatment for obesity and metabolic diseases. Adiponectin signalling has been reported to play an important role in the treatment of obesity, inflammation, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Wild-type (WT) and AdipoR1 knockout (AdipoR1^-/-) mice were placed on a chow diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) and several metabolic parameters were measured. Celastrol was then administered to the HFD-induced mice and the response of WT and AdipoR1^-/- mice to celastrol in terms of body weight, blood glucose, and food intake was also recorded.

AdipoR1 knockout caused elevated blood glucose and lipids, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in mice, as well as increased susceptibility to HFD-induced obesity. After 14 days of treatment, WT and AdipoR1^-/- mice showed significant reductions in body weight and blood glucose and improvements in glucose tolerance.

The present study demonstrated that AdipoR1 plays a critical role in metabolic regulation and that the improvement of weight and metabolic function by celastrol is independent of the AdipoR1-mediated signalling pathway.