(-)-Secoisolariciresinol attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice

Food Funct. 2012 Jan;3(1):76-82. doi: 10.1039/c1fo10166h. Epub 2011 Oct 27.

Abstract

Flaxseed lignan, secoisolariciresinol has been reported to possess health benefits. We previously synthesized each stereoisomer of secoisolariciresinol and found that (-)-secoisolariciresinol reduces lipid accumulation and induces adiponectin production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Here we show the effects of (-)-secoisolariciresinol on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 male mice. Oral administration of (-)-secoisolariciresinol for 28 consecutive days significantly suppressed the gain of body weight. Increased serum adiponectin level and decreased gene expression of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c in liver, which are related to fatty acid synthesis, were observed in the mice orally administered with (-)-secoisolariciresinol. In addition, subcutaneous injection of (-)-secoisolariciresinol also significantly suppressed the gain of body weight. Serum leptin levels were significantly increased by treating with (-)-secoisolariciresinol or (-)-enterolactone. Subcutaneous injection of (-)-secoisolariciresinol, (-)-enterolactone, or (-)-enterodiol promoted gene expression of acyl-CoA oxidase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, which are related to β-oxidation. Overall results suggest that (-)-secoisolariciresinol exerts a suppressive effect on the gain of body weight of mice fed a high-fat diet by inducing gene expression of adiponectin, resulting in the altered expression of various genes related to the synthesis and β-oxidation of fatty acids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Butylene Glycols / administration & dosage*
  • Butylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects*
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lignans / administration & dosage*
  • Lignans / chemistry
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • PPAR alpha / genetics
  • PPAR alpha / metabolism
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Butylene Glycols
  • Dietary Fats
  • Lignans
  • PPAR alpha
  • secoisolariciresinol