The Effect of Gum Arabic on Energy Balance Genes in Mouse Liver

Aims: Energy homeostasis is regulated by a complex neuroendocrine system including appetite regulatory hypothalamus peptides and adipocytes derived peripheral signals. The aim was to study the effects of Gum Arabic on fat mass and obesity-associated gene expression in liver.

Study Design: This case control study was conducted at Key laboratory of Biochemistry, Nanjing Agricultural University, China.

Methodology: Female C57BL/6 J mice at 13 weeks of age were treated with 10% of gum Arabic in drinking water for 12 weeks. Food intake, body weight, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), blood glucose and lipids profiles were measured. The expression of energy balance related genes was measured by Real-time PCR.

Results: Gum Arabic significantly (P<0.05) decreased food intake, body weight, and VAT accumulation. Gum Arabic significantly (P<0.05) decreased blood glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL-c, whereas increased high- density lipoprotein (HDL). Gum Arabic had no significant effect on the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), agouti (Ago) protein and fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in the liver.

Conclusion: Gum Arabic had significant effect on food intake, body weight and VAT associated with decreased blood glucose and lipid profiles, without any change in the expression rate of energy homoeostasis genes.