Search Results (612)

Obesity treatments increasingly target multiple pathways beyond appetite suppression. We evaluated KBN2202, a salicylate-derived small molecule, in a high-fat diet (60% kcal from fat) mouse model using female and male C57BL/6J mice treated for 8 weeks with oral KBN2202 (20 mg/kg/day) or a matched-volume vehicle (1% DMSO/PBS). Body weight was recorded weekly, and food intake was measured daily; serum hormones and cytokines, adipose tissue histology, and open-field behavior were assessed at the end of the study. Under our experimental conditions, HFD increased body weight and gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT)/brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass in females, whereas males showed only modest HFD-associated weight gain and did not develop a clear obesity phenotype. KBN2202 significantly reduced peri-ovarian gWAT mass and adipocyte size without altering overall body weight. In females, circulating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) increased, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in gWAT showed a non-significant upward trend, and serum TNF-α was selectively decreased, while MCP-1 and IL-1β were unchanged. Locomotor activity was unaltered, and anxiety-like behavior was reduced. Male mice did not show comparable adipose effects. These findings indicate depot-specific, peripheral modulation of adipose remodeling, hormonal balance, and inflammatory tone by KBN2202, supporting its further investigation as an adipose-targeted metabolic modulator complementary to incretin-based therapies. Full article

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. To advance research on BAT activation and elucidate the mechanisms underlying adipogenesis, it is crucial to develop a reliable in vitro model. This study aimed to optimize the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into beige adipocytes and to validate the protocol using primary human ADSCs obtained from eight donors. Protocol optimization was first performed with commercial ADSCs, testing more than 30 combinations of adipogenic conditions. Differentiation was assessed by microscopy, Oil Red O staining, and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. Among the key adipogenic factors, rosiglitazone proved more effective than indomethacin. Extending the induction phase from 4 to 8 days and maintaining dexamethasone throughout the culture markedly enhanced differentiation efficiency. Serum concentration above 5% was inhibitory, while optimal conditions were identified as 5 μM rosiglitazone and 20 μg/mL insulin. The optimized protocol successfully induced beige adipogenesis in ADSCs from eight independent donors, though efficiency varied considerably which could be attributed to individual donor variability. These findings provide a robust in vitro model for studying beige fat biology and highlight the relevance of personalized approaches in metabolic research. Full article

Background: The browning of white adipose tissue for thermogenesis is an effective strategy for combating obesity. The formation of beige adipocytes is reversible, making their maintenance a key therapeutic target. Rutin has been shown to promote the transition from white to beige adipocytes. It remains unclear whether rutin can prevent the reversion of beige adipocytes to white adipocytes and what mechanisms underlie this process. Objectives: This study aims to determine whether rutin can sustain the thermogenic phenotype of beige adipocytes and to elucidate its mechanism. Methods: We established a beige adipocyte model with CL-316, 243(CL) in vitro. A white adipocyte model was created by CL withdrawal after 3 days. Then, we conducted a co-intervention with CL and rutin, as well as sustained rutin intervention on beige adipocytes following CL withdrawal. In vivo, we utilized a C57BL/6 mouse model, including ND, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD + Rutin groups. The mice were further divided into Cold and −Cold groups, with the former undergoing 7 days of exposure to 4 °C and the latter experiencing 10 days of 22–24 °C. Rutin was administered continuously until the conclusion of the experiment. Results: Rutin consistently ameliorates metabolic disorders and prevents the expansion of adipose tissue. It concomitantly suppresses mitochondrial autophagy during beige induction, upregulates thermogenic markers in brown adipocytes, and safeguards the mitochondrial-related functional indicators. Conclusions: In summary, rutin obstructs the transformation of beige adipocytes into white adipocytes and concomitantly suppresses mitochondrial autophagy, thereby continuously improving obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Full article

Adipose tissue is characterized by specialized lipid handling cells called adipocytes, which function as the primary energy reservoir. Like many other cell types, adipocytes have highly plastic properties, such as the conversion of white adipocytes into brown or beige adipocytes, which produce heat, and pink adipocytes into mammary cells synthesizing and secreting milk. Highly specialized adipose tissue depots are present in various species, such as male orangutans with prominent fat-filled facial flanges indicating hierarchical status, or cetaceans with the melon, a specialized adipose tissue for echolocation. Adipose tissue is now considered a true endocrine organ that regulates various physiological mechanisms through the hormonal secretion of adipokines, which modulate systemic metabolism and physiological processes. In particular, the role of adipokines in the control of the reproductive axis and their participation in the regulation of fertility have been widely reported. This review summarizes the current state of research on the effects of adipose-specific cytokines on the male and female reproductive systems. Full article

Background: Korean red ginseng marc (KRGM), a by-product of Korean red ginseng (KRG) processing, retains numerous bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Among them, KRGM-derived gintonin (KRGM-gintonin) is particularly rich in lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and phospholipids, which have been linked to favorable metabolic effects. This study investigated the anti-obesity potential of KRGM-gintonin in high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obese mice, focusing on its impact on weight regulation, liver health, and energy metabolism. Methods: Obese mice (C57BL/6N, 4 weeks, male) were administered KRGM-gintonin either orally for 25 weeks or through intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection for 14 weeks. Throughout the study, body weight, food intake, metabolic parameters, liver tissue morphology, behavioral performance, and thermogenic gene expression were carefully monitored to evaluate treatment effects. Results: Both oral and ICV administration of KRGM-gintonin significantly reduced body weight gain in HFD-fed obese mice without altering food intake, suggesting enhanced energy expenditure. Treatment through both routes improved physical performance and increased metabolic rate. Oral KRGM-gintonin also alleviated fatty liver, reduced plasma triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels, and promoted the expression of thermogenesis-related genes, including uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), specifically in brown adipose tissue. Additionally, oral administration lowered tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression, indicating anti-inflammatory activity and further supporting metabolic health. Conclusions: KRGM-gintonin exerts strong anti-obesity effects, primarily through oral administration, with supportive evidence from central ICV action. These findings highlight its potential as a functional therapeutic agent for obesity prevention and management, offering dual benefits in metabolic regulation and inflammation control. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity, a metabolic disorder resulting from an energy imbalance, often leads to excess fat and related diseases. Browning of white adipose tissue, which increases energy expenditure, is a promising anti-obesity strategy. Herbal medicines are considered safer than conventional drugs, but their fat browning mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of Coix lacryma-jobi L. and Raphanus sativus L., alongside their active compounds, coixol and sinigrin. Methods: Cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 cells was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Lipid accumulation was quantified by the Oil Red O (ORO) staining. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to evaluate mitochondrial activity and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Protein and mRNA expressions were analysed using western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results: In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, ORO staining showed reduced lipid accumulation and droplet size after treatment. qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunostaining revealed that coixol and sinigrin upregulated browning markers (UCP1, PGC-1α, PRDM16) and beige fat genes (Cd137, Cidea, Cited, Fgf21, Tbx1, Tmem26). They also upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis genes (Cox4, Nrf1, Tfam), downregulated lipogenic genes (Fasn, Lpl, Srebf1, Acaca), and increased lipolytic (Atgl, Hsl, Plin1) and fatty acid oxidation genes (Aco1, Cpt1, Ppara). Mechanistic studies revealed that fat browning was associated with β3-adrenergic receptor activation and AMPK phosphorylation. Conclusions: Overall, coixol and sinigrin promote fat browning and metabolic improvement, highlighting their potential as natural anti-obesity agents. Full article

A 16-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different feed forms on the productivity, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, and organ development of laying hens. A total of 252 Lohmann Brown laying hens, 20 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: mash, pellet, or crumble. Each treatment consisted of seven replicates with 12 hens per replicate. All diets were formulated primarily with corn and soybean meal to provide 2801 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy and 17.99% crude protein. Productive performance (egg production, egg weight, feed intake, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio), egg quality traits (haugh unit, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness), apparent nutrient digestibility (dry matter, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus), and relative organ weights (crop, gizzard, and abdominal fat) were measured. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed among the feed form treatments for productive performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, or organ development. These results indicate that feed form (mash, pellet, or crumble) does not significantly affect performance, egg quality, nutrient utilization, or organ development in Lohmann Brown laying hens under the conditions of this study. Full article

This review investigates the potential of sodium alginate, a biobased polysaccharide from brown algae, for food packaging applications. It analyzes the main challenges of cast films, including water vapor permeability, mechanical performance, and processability, and evaluates strategies to enhance these properties without chemical modification. Chemical modification is excluded because it would classify alginate as a plastic under EU regulations (PPWR, SUPD), conflicting with plastic-free packaging. The review synthesizes literature from 2004 to 2025 on pure sodium alginate films that are plasticized and ionically crosslinked without additional modifiers or nanofillers. While alginate provides excellent oxygen and fat barriers, its high water vapor permeability and brittleness limit broader use. Ionic crosslinking improves strength and water resistance, yet non-uniform networks remain a key challenge. Film performance is also influenced by drying temperature, mixing speed, molecular weight, and protein incorporation. This review differs from previous studies by highlighting the coupled effects of plasticization, ionic crosslinking, and processing limitations that together determine alginate’s industrial feasibility. Research gaps concern long-term stability and behavior under industrial packaging conditions. Given environmental and regulatory pressures to replace fossil-based plastics, sodium alginate shows strong potential as a scalable, renewable material for sustainable food packaging. Full article

Goose foie gras production requires force-feeding with high-energy feed, disrupting hepatic lipid homeostasis and causing excessive lipid accumulation. To investigate the formation mechanism, we collected liver samples from Landes geese at pre-force-feeding (D0), mid-force-feeding (D16), and terminal-force-feeding (D25) stages. Overfeeding shifted liver color from reddish-brown to yellow, significantly increasing size and weight. Histological analysis revealed pronounced lipid droplet accumulation in hepatocytes. Biochemical analysis indicated force-feeding groups (D16, D25) exhibited continuous and significant decreases in liver moisture, crude ash, and crude protein content compared to D0, while crude fat increased substantially. Integrated transcriptomic and lipidomic analyses identified 497 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 368 differential lipid molecules (DLMs) between D16 and D0, and 303 DEGs and 172 DLMs between D25 and D16. KEGG enrichment highlighted four pathways associated with fatty liver formation: glycerolipid metabolism, adipocytokine signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Within these, key genes (DGAT2, LIPG, LPL, LPIN1, NFKBIA, SLC2A1, AREG, DUSP1, DUSP10, PPARGC1A, NR4A1, PAK5) potentially regulate critical lipid metabolites (1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate, 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate, diglyceride, triacylglycerol). These genes and metabolites likely play a dominant role in the development of goose fatty liver, collectively promoting hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation and the progression of goose fatty liver. Full article

Limited published data are available on the ratio of digestible non-essential amino acid (DNEAA) to digestible lysine (DLys) for layers. The effect of different DNEAA-to-DLys ratios on performance parameters of Hy-Line Silver-Brown layers was studied from 20 to 35 weeks. Experimental design was randomized with ten dietary treatments of increasing concentrations of DNEAA-to-DLys ratio (10.61, 10.84, 11.08, 11.31, 11.54, 11.77, 12.00, 12.23, 12.46, 12.69). Average daily feed intake, total feed intake, laying rate, cumulative egg number, egg weight, hen body weight, feed conversion ratio, egg mass output, albumen weight, eggshell weight, yolk weight, eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness, carcass and feather weight, carcass protein, carcass fat, liver weight, and liver fat were recorded. Changing the DNEAA/DLys ratio did not affect production parameters. Yolk and yolk-to-egg weight decreased with an increase in DNEAA/DLys ratio, while albumen-to-yolk and albumen-to-egg weight increased. The DNEAA/DLys ratio did not affect carcass or liver composition, but liver and liver-to-body weight (%) decreased as the DNEAA/DLys ratio increased. Hy-Line Silver-Brown layers during peak production sustained egg production and quality even on the lowest ratio in this study. Low DNEAA/DLys ratios increased liver fat deposition. Full article

Collagen peptides derived from animal skins are valuable bioactive ingredients with diverse nutritional and functional properties. This study systematically compared the nutritional value, collagen structure function properties, and bioactivities of collagen peptides from six types of animal skins, including yak skins from different altitudes, Pingliang Red cattle skin, Xinjiang Brown cattle skin, and donkey skin. In terms of nutritional value, low-altitude yak skin contained 34.15 g/100 g protein and 1.78 g/100 g fat, exhibiting superior overall performance compared with other samples. Regarding structure–function relationships, low-altitude yak skin showed the highest emulsifying activity (12.05 m²/g) and foaming capacity (26%), which were attributed to its smaller particle size and higher surface hydrophobicity, whereas mid-altitude yak skin demonstrated greater thermal stability (115.3 °C) and a more compact microstructure. In terms of bioactivity, yak leather contains 23,558 to 25,966 peptides, with relatively high activity of antibacterial peptides and anti-diabetic peptides. Pingliang red cowhide and Xinjiang brown cowhide contain 1515 and 2186 polypeptides, respectively, which have strong antihypertensive activity. The antibacterial effect of donkey skin is more obvious, with a total peptide count of 11,678. Collectively, these findings reveal significant differences in the nutritional and processing-related properties of the six skin types and provide potential evidence for expanding their applications in the field of functional foods. Full article

This study aims to characterize tissue-specific expression patterns in Hanwoo steers by identifying co-expression modules, functional pathways, and hub genes related to fat and muscle traits using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network analysis (WGCNA). RNA-Seq data were generated from three muscle tissues (longissimus muscle, tenderloin, and rump) and two fat tissues (back fat and abdominal fat) collected from six 30-month-old Hanwoo steers. Quality control of raw sequencing reads was performed using FastQC, and trimmed reads were aligned to the bovine reference genome (ARS-UCD1.3) using HISAT2. We also identified a gene co-expression network via WGCNA using normalized gene expression values. Modules were defined based on topological overlap and correlated with tissue-specific expression patterns. Modules with a significant association (p < 0.05) were used for functional enrichment based on Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways, as well as Protein–Protein Interaction Network analysis. A total of seven co-expression modules were identified by WGCNA and labeled in distinct colors (yellow, blue, red, brown, turquoise, green, black). Among them, the yellow and blue modules were positively associated with back fat, while the turquoise and green modules showed a negative correlation with abdominal fat. Additionally, the turquoise or green module was positively correlated with longissimus and rump tissues, indicating distinct gene expression patterns between fat and muscle. This study identified key co-expression modules and hub genes associated with muscle and fat metabolism. Notably, ARPC5 (blue module) was involved in lipid metabolism and energy storage, whereas AGPAT5 (turquoise module) was linked to maintaining muscle cell structure and function. These findings reveal biological mechanisms for tissue-specific gene regulation, providing targets for enhancing meat quality in Hanwoo. Full article

Background: Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) represents a unique source of bioactive compounds with demonstrated health benefits. The main aim of the research was to investigate the chemical composition, content of bioactive compounds and biological activities of various types of flaxseed and their defatted forms. Methods: Proximate composition (crude fat, protein, ash, digestible carbohydrates, fiber) was determined, and fatty acid profiles were analyzed via GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). Mineral content was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, while total and individual polyphenols were quantified spectrophotometrically and by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). Antioxidant activity was assessed using three assays. In vitro functional assays evaluated the effects of flaxseed extracts on lactic acid bacteria adhesion in two cellular models, nitric oxide production in liposaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, proliferation and apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Results: Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the proximate composition: brown flaxseed exhibited the highest crude fat content, whereas defatted seeds had higher levels of digestible carbohydrates and ash. α-Linolenic acid was the dominant fatty acid, with the highest concentration in defatted golden flaxseed. Defatted forms generally displayed increased mineral concentrations, particularly calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. The polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were highest in defatted brown flaxseed, which also exhibited the greatest diversity of individual polyphenols. Flaxseed extracts modulated the adhesion of lactic acid bacteria, reduced the production of nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 macrophages, inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and induced apoptosis of the mentioned cells. Conclusions: Flaxseed, especially the brown type, could be a promising source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential, supporting its use in nutritional and functional applications. Full article

The inner mitochondrial membrane proteins ATP/ADP carrier protein 1 (AAC1) and Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) belong to the SLC25 mitochondrial carrier family. AAC1 is responsible for ATP/ADP exchange, while UCP1-dependent proton transport, which also requires small molecules known as activators, is the basis of brown fat thermogenesis. Arachidonic acid (AA) is an endogenous activator capable of inducing proton transport in both proteins. As such, both AAC1- and UCP1-dependent proton transport are potential targets of weight loss drugs. While AAC1 structures have long been available, only recently have structures of UCP1 been determined. Unfortunately, no AA-bound structure of either protein is available. To explore their interactions with AA, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of both proteins. Six parallel simulations of each protein were run with an average length of just over 6 μs, for a total of 75 μs of aggregate simulation across both proteins. AA bound deeply between transmembrane helix (TM) helices or in the central cavity of AAC1 in 14 events and between TM helices of UCP1 in 6 events. All AA involved in these deep binding events came from the intermembrane space-facing (C) leaflet. In AAC1, AA most often bound between TM1/TM2 and TM5/TM6. In four cases the fatty acid bound at the bottom of the central cavity rather than in an interhelical groove. In UCP1, all but one deeply bound AA sat between TM5 and TM6. No AA fully entered the cavity as observed in AAC1. In addition to entering the proteins, AAs were enriched around them in the surrounding membrane adjacent to the TM helices. While both protein structures exhibit hydrophobic stretches separating the intermembrane space (IMS) from the matrix, water wires formed through both AAC1 and UCP1, connecting the bulk water in both regions. Grotthuss shuttling along water wires has been proposed as a possible mechanism of AAC1/UCP1-dependent proton transport, but water wires are not present in experimental structures and have not previously been reported in MD simulations. Calculations of electric potentials along these water wires find a large 0.75–1 V electrostatic barrier along water wires through AAC1 and a substantially smaller such barrier of ~0.5 V through UCP1. Full article

The original purpose of this study was to compare human and pig scRNA-seq data to determine why pigs do not have brown adipocytes. However, during the experiment, we identified brown adipocytes in pigs. Therefore, we aimed to confirm that these adipocytes were brown adipocytes via a comparative analysis using typical mouse brown adipose tissue sections. We found that swine brown adipocytes were distributed in an island-like pattern, with three typical characteristics: (1) numerous mitochondria and small lipid droplets, (2) a cellular volume smaller than that of white adipocytes, and (3) expression of specific marker genes (EBF2 and ATP2B4). The expression levels of the thermogenesis-related genes UCP2/3 were not significantly increased. Thus, we conducted ceRNA network analysis, revealing that high expression of the key microRNA miR-10383 increased the thermogenic efficiency of UCP3 in the cold exposure group. In addition, the epigenetic memory of UCP3 was disrupted. Chromatin accessibility and Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing of Groin Adiposesibility results revealed peaks in the promoter regions of the UCP2/3 genes. In our discussion of the study’s limitations, we explain how to repeat the experiment to significantly increase the UCP2/3 protein content. This study fills a research gap regarding brown fat in pigs and can provide a reference for future studies on fat metabolism. Full article