Reduction of diet-induced obesity by a combination of tea-catechin intake and regular swimming.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from imbalance between metabolizable energy intake and energy expenditure. It is known to be a strong risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of long-term intake of tea catechins (Cat) in combination with regular exercise (Ex) on the development of obesity in C57BL/6 mice.


METHODS
We compared body weight, adipose tissue mass, plasma parameters and beta-oxidation activity in mice fed a low-fat diet (5% triglyceride (TG); LF), a high-fat diet (30% TG; HF), a HF diet supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) tea Cat, a HF diet in addition to swimming Ex or a HF diet plus 0.5% tea Cat in addition to swimming Ex (Cat+Ex) for 15 weeks. Oxygen consumption and respiratory quotients were measured using indirect calorimetry.


RESULTS
Tea-Cat intake in combination with swimming Ex suppressed HF diet-induced body-weight gain by 18 and 22%, respectively, compared to Ex and tea-Cat intake on their own. Visceral fat accumulation and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia were also reduced in the HF+Cat+Ex group. Muscular beta-oxidation activity in this group was 69 and 52% higher, respectively, than that in the HF and HF+Cat groups. Lipid oxidation, determined using indirect calorimetry, was higher in the HF+Cat+Ex group, suggesting increased lipid utilization at the individual level.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that intake of tea Cat, together with regular Ex helps to reduce diet-induced obesity. This effect might be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of whole-body energy metabolism.
Murase
T
T
Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, 2606 Akabane, Ichikai-machi, Haga-gun, Japan. murase.takatoshi@kao.co.jp
Haramizu
S
S
Shimotoyodome
A
A
Tokimitsu
I
I
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002392:Catechin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013550:Swimming; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin