Tungstate decreases weight gain and adiposity in obese rats through increased thermogenesis and lipid oxidation.
The increasing worldwide incidence of obesity and the limitations of current treatments raise the need for finding novel therapeutic approaches to treat this disease. The purpose of the current study was first to investigate the effects of tungstate on body weight and insulin sensitivity in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Second, we aimed to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying its action. Oral administration of tungstate significantly decreased body weight gain and adiposity without modifying caloric intake, intestinal fat absorption, or growth rate in obese rats. Moreover, the treatment ameliorated dislipemia and insulin resistance of obese rats. These effects were mediated by an increase in whole-body energy dissipation and by changes in the expression of genes involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and mitochondrial uncoupling in adipose tissue. Furthermore, treatment increased the number of small adipocytes with a concomitant induction of apoptosis. Our results indicate that tungstate treatment may provide the basis for a promising novel therapy for obesity.
Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Marc
M
Claret
Helena
H
Corominola
Ignasi
I
Canals
Josep
J
Saura
Silvia
S
Barcelo-Batllori
Joan J
JJ
Guinovart
Ramon
R
Gomis
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000187:drug effects; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; C045951:tungstate