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Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents
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Prevention of Diet-Induced Obesity by Phytoecdysteroids 20-Hydroxyecdysone and Calonysterone-Unexpected Modulation of

Alaa Am Osman1, Dávid Laczkó2, Máté Vágvölgyi2

  • 1Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.

Nutrients
|June 26, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Calonysterone (CAL) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) prevent obesity-induced weight gain and muscle loss. CAL uniquely preserves testicular mass and may impact androgen balance in obese rats.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic research
  • Muscle physiology

Background:

  • Calonysterone (CAL), a 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) derivative, shows in vitro muscle benefits.
  • In vivo effects of CAL on metabolism and androgen balance are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Compare 20E and CAL effects on metabolic, muscular, and endocrine parameters in normal and obese rats.
  • Investigate the impact on androgen balance, focusing on testicular function.

Main Methods:

  • Rats fed normal or high-fat, high-sugar diets (HFHSD) for 12 weeks, treated with 20E or CAL.
  • Assessed body weight, muscle mass, testicular weight, and gene/protein expression (Ar, Cyp19a1, ERβ).
  • Measured plasma corticosterone and testosterone levels.

Main Results:

  • Both 20E and CAL prevented HFHSD-induced weight gain and muscle atrophy.
  • CAL preserved testicular and levator ani muscle mass in obese rats.
  • CAL increased testicular Cyp19a1 and ERβ; both compounds reduced testosterone in obese rats and normalized corticosterone.

Conclusions:

  • 20E and CAL offer metabolic and anabolic benefits against diet-induced obesity and muscle atrophy.
  • CAL specifically counteracts obesity-related testicular atrophy.
  • CAL may enhance testicular aromatase, influencing androgen receptor and ERβ levels, warranting caution with phytoecdysteroid supplements.
Keywords:
20-hydroxyecdysoneandrogen balancecalonysteroneobesityrat modelskeletal muscle

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