Utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans as an In Vivo Model for Identifying Small Molecules Modulating Lipid Metabolism: A...

Caenorhabditis elegans is a multi-organ nematode widely used in various research fields of life science. It is favored for its ease of handling, short life cycle with high reproductive capacity, low maintenance costs, availability of diverse mutants, and substantial genomic and proteomic similarity to mammals. Since research involving C. elegans typically does not require approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, it serves as a valuable alternative to vertebrate animal models. Most importantly, lipid metabolism exhibits significant homology between C. elegans and mammals, making it a powerful in vivo model for studying many food-based bioactives that target lipid metabolism. This review briefly covers the basic physiology and genes involved in lipid metabolism in C. elegans, research procedures, and limitations of using its use in research. In addition to established models like mammalian tissue culture and rodents, utilizing C. elegans can be a valuable strategy for exploring the potential role of food-based bioactives in controlling obesity.