Anti-Obesity Effect of Chitoglucan in High-Fat-Induced Obesity Mice

Summary

A natural compound called chitoglucan extracted from enoki mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes) was found to reduce weight gain and body fat in mice fed a high-fat diet. The treatment worked by lowering levels of hormones called leptin and resistin that are elevated in obesity. This suggests that chitoglucan from enoki mushrooms could potentially help treat obesity and related metabolic disorders in humans.

Background

Obesity is a chronic syndrome characterized by excessive fat deposition and associated with metabolic diseases. Chitoglucan is a bioactive component from Flammulina velutipes mushroom known to have potential anti-obesity effects, though its hormonal mechanisms have not been thoroughly examined.

Objective

To investigate the anti-obesity effects of chitoglucan and its hormonal mechanisms through regulation of adipocyte-derived proteins in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Results

Chitoglucan treatment significantly reduced body weight, parametrical adipose tissue, serum leptin levels, and serum resistin levels in high-fat diet mice compared to untreated obese controls. The effects were most pronounced at 50 and 150 mg/kg doses.

Conclusion

Chitoglucan from Flammulina velutipes may be useful for treating high-fat diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome through regulation of leptin and resistin levels.
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