Effect of shanzha, a Chinese herbal product, on obesity and dyslipidemia in hamsters receiving high-fat diet.
OBJECTIVE
The present study is designed to investigate the effect of shanzha (Crataegus pinnatifida) on obesity or dyslipidemia induced by high-fat diet in hamsters and characterize the role of PPARalpha in this action of shanzha.


METHODS
We induced dyslipidemia and obesity in hamsters using high-fat diet and treated hamsters with shanzha or vehicle for 7 days. We measured the body weight, adipose tissue weights, and food intake of hamsters. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined at the beginning and end of this treatment. Effect of shanzha on adipogenesis was examined in vitro and change of PPARalpha was analyzed using Western blot.


RESULTS
The food intake, body weights, and weights of both brown and white adipose tissues were markedly reduced in hamsters receiving shanzha as compared with the vehicle-treated control. Plasma levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were decreased by this shanzha treatment while HDL-C was elevated. The effects of shanzha were reversed by the combined treatment with PPARalpha antagonist, MK886. Shanzha inhibited the fat droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner and this effect was abolished by MK886. Western blot results showed activation of PPARalpha by shanzha in hamster adipose tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that shanzha could activate PPARalpha to improve dyslipidemia or obesity.
Kuo
Daih-Huang
DH
Department of Pharmacy, Tajen University, Yen-Pou, Ping Tung Shien, 90701, Taiwan, ROC.
Yeh
Ching-Hua
CH
Shieh
Po-Chuen
PC
Cheng
Kai-Chun
KC
Chen
Fu-An
FA
Cheng
Juei-Tang
JT
D016475:3T3 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001391:Azo Compounds; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006224:Cricetinae; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D051379:Mice; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000502:physiology
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D047493:PPAR alpha; C544212:shanzha; C011049:oil red O