Molecular mechanism of anti-obesity effect of total lutein oxidized products (LOPs) in diet-induced obese mice

The present study explores the molecular mechanism of anti-obesity effect of total lutein oxidized products (LOPs) in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Total LOPs (50, 100, 200 mg/kg b.wt.) were intubated for 22 weeks. Lipid profile, peroxides, AST, ALT, GST activities, lipid metabolizing enzymes/molecules, 3T3-L1 cell differentiation, TGF-& beta;1 and p38 MAPK expressions were studied. Total LOPs at 100 mg/kg b.wt. reduced plasma and hepatic cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, ALT and AST activities. FAS and CPT activities were inhibited in the liver homogenate, and epididymal WAT (eWAT). Total LOPs at 200 mg/kg b.wt. reduced HMGCoA:Mevalonate in eWAT, lipid peroxides in eWAT and liver. GST activity was high in the liver and eWAT. Total LOPs (100 & mu;g/ml) suppressed adipogenesis and decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets from two to eight days. Adiponectin was upregulated, PPAR & gamma;, lipoprotein lipase, TGF-& beta;1, and p38 MAPK were down-regulated. The results have shown that total LOPs are potent anti-obese molecules.