METHODS: In this study, the rats were randomly divided into six groups i.e., (1) Normal Diet (ND); (2) Normal Diet and 175 mg/kgBW of EECCL (ND + 175 mg/kgBW); (3) Normal Diet and 350 mg/kgBW of EECCL (ND + 350 mg/kgBW); (4) High Fat Diet (HFD); (5) High Fat Diet and 175 mg/kgBW of EECCL (HFD + 175 mg/kgBW); (6) High Fat Diet and 350 mg/kgBW of EECCL (HFD + 350 mg/kgBW). The anti-obesity potential was evaluated through analyses of changes in body weight, visceral fat weight, and blood biochemicals including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), leptin, insulin, adiponectin, ghrelin and fecal fat content. In addition, metabolite profiling of EECCL was carried out using NMR spectroscopy.
RESULTS: Rats receiving EECCL together with HFD showed significant (p 0.05) different with those of ND rats. Other related obesity biomarkers including plasma lipid profiles, insulin, leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin levels also showed significant improvement (p anti-obesity mechanism similar to standard drug of Orlistat. The (1)H-NMR spectra of EECCL ascertained the presence of catechin, quercetin, rutin, kaempherol and chlorogenic acid in the extract.
CONCLUSION: Conclusively, EECCL showed anti-obesity properties by inhibition of intestinal lipid absorption and modulation of adipocytes markers.
OBJECTIVES: We explored the possible preventive/therapeutic effects of orlistat (a medication prescribed for weight loss) on obesity-induced steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis decline.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into four groups (n = 6/group), namely; normal control, high-fat diet, high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group and high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group. Orlistat (10 mg/kg/b.w./d suspended in distilled water) was either concurrently administered with high-fat diet for 12 weeks (high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group) or administered from week 7-12 post- high-fat diet feeding (high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group). Thereafter, serum, testes and epididymis were collected for analyses.
RESULTS: Obesity increased serum leptin and decreased adiponectin levels, decreased serum and intra-testicular levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone, sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology and epididymal antioxidants, but increased epididymal malondialdehyde level and sperm nDNA fragmentation. Testicular mRNA transcript levels of androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were significantly decreased in the testes of the high-fat diet group. Further, the levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein protein and enzymatic activities of CYP11A1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were also significantly decreased in the testes of the high-fat diet group. Treatment with orlistat significantly decreased leptin and increased adiponectin levels, improved sperm parameters, decreased sperm DNA fragmentation, increased the levels of steroidogenic hormones, proteins and associated genes in high-fat diet-induced obese male rats, with the preventive group (high-fat diet plus orlistat preventive group) having better results relative to the treatment group (high-fat diet plus orlistat treatment group).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Orlistat attenuated impaired spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis decline by up-regulating steroidogenic genes. This may not be unconnected to its significant effect in lowering serum leptin levels, since the hormone is known to dampen fertility potential. Therefore, orlistat may improve fertility potential in overweight/obese men.
METHODS: GBR were extracted separately by employing different solvents with ultrasound-assisted. Pancreatic lipase activity was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB) to p-nitrophenol at 405 nm. Adipogenesis and lipolysis were assayed in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes by using Oil Red O staining and glycerol release measurement.
RESULTS: GBR extract using hexane showed the highest inhibitory effect (13.58 ± 0.860%) at concentration of 200 μg/ml followed by hexane extract at 100 μg/ml (9.98 ± 1.048%) while ethyl acetate extract showed the lowest (2.62 ± 0.677%) at concentration of 200 μg/ml on pancreatic lipase activity. Water extract at 300 μg/ml showed 61.55 ± 3.824% of Oil Red O staining material (OROSM), a marker of adipogenesis. It significantly decrease (p