Large pore mesoporous silica induced weight loss in obese mice.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for medical treatments to curb the rising rate of obesity. Weight reduction is correlated with a decrease in associated risk factors and cholesterol levels in humans. Amorphous silica particles have been found to exert a hypocholesterolemic effect in humans, making them popular dietary additives.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of mesoporous silica, which possess sharp pore size distributions, on: weight loss, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose blood levels in obese mice.


METHODS
Mesoporous silicas with differing pore size were mixed in the high-fat diet of obese mice.


RESULTS
Animals receiving large pore mesoporous silica with a high-fat diet show a significant reduction in body weight and fat composition, with no observable negative effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Pore size is an important parameter for reduction of body weight and body fat composition by mesoporous silica, demonstrating promising signs for the treatment of obesity.
Nanotechnology & Functional Materials, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden.
Natalia
N
Kupferschmidt
Robert I
RI
Csikasz
Lluís
L
Ballell
Tore
T
Bengtsson
Alfonso E
AE
Garcia-Bennett
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D050997:Nanomedicine; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016062:Porosity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005503:Food Additives; D014280:Triglycerides; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D002784:Cholesterol
body fat; body weight; cholesterol; high-fat diet; mesoporous silica; obesity