Search

We examined the effects of an herbal formula, WL2, on weight loss, lipid metabolism, and associated angiogenesis status. Male SD rats were pre-fed a high-calorie-diet (HCD) for 6 wks to prior establish obesity. Obese rats were randomized to receive vehicle or WL2 (1.5 g/kg) by gavage for 10 wks. Reduced BW was seen with WL2 at Wk 2 and later weeks (p<0.05∼0.01). At Wk 10, BW and weight of abdominal fat pad and the liver were reduced with WL2 by 5.6%, 38% & 13% (p<0.01). Size and total number of adipocytes were reduced with WL2, represented by increased adipocyte number per microscopic view field and reduced total DNA in fat pad (p<0.05). Plasma LDL-c, VEGF, leptin, and adiponectin was decreased with WL2 by 39%, 33%, 35% & 27%, while HDL-c and glucagon increased by 18% & 17% (all p<0.01). Reduced liver weight associates with improvement of hepatic fatty degeneration and steatohepatitis (p=0.006). Gene expression array displays multiple changes in gene expression in many tissues, suggesting enhanced thermogenesis and adipocyte apoptosis, optimized glucose-lipid-protein metabolism, and improved muscle cell survival. In conclusion, WL2 intervention reduces BW and improves energy-glucose-lipid metabolism in DIO through multiple metabolic pathways. The reduced mass of adipose tissue associates with reduction of circulating leptin and adiponectin, inhibition of angiogenesis and optimization of multiple metabolic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently reported that epicatechin, a bioactive compound that occurs naturally in various common foods, promoted general health and survival of obese diabetic mice. It remains to be determined whether epicatechin extends health span and delays the process of aging. In the present study, epicatechin or its analogue epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (0.25% w/v in drinking water) was administered to 20-mo-old male C57BL mice fed a standard chow. The goal was to determine the antiaging effect. The results showed that supplementation with epicatechin for 37 wk strikingly increased the survival rate from 39 to 69%, whereas EGCG had no significant effect. Consistently, epicatechin improved physical activity, delayed degeneration of skeletal muscle (quadriceps), and shifted the profiles of the serum metabolites and skeletal muscle general mRNA expressions in aging mice toward the profiles observed in young mice. In particular, we found that dietary epicatechin significantly reversed age-altered mRNA and protein expressions of extracellular matrix and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor pathways in skeletal muscle, and reversed the age-induced declines of the nicotinate and nicotinamide pathway both in serum and skeletal muscle. The present study provides evidence that epicatechin supplementation can exert an antiaging effect, including an increase in survival, an attenuation of the aging-related deterioration of skeletal muscles, and a protection against the aging-related decline in nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]