title: Fucoxanthin and lipid metabolism: A minireview.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Accumulating data suggest that food supplementation with seaweeds which traditionally are an important part of food culture in South-East Asian countries might lead to essential health benefits. In this short review, we summarize findings from experimental studies on the effects of fucoxanthin (a carotenoid derived from brown seaweeds) on lipid metabolism, adiposity, and related conditions and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation of fucoxanthin or its derivatives consistently attenuated body and visceral fat weight gain, lipid accumulation in the liver, decreases insulin resistance, and improves the plasma lipid profile in rodents fed a high-fat diet. It should however be noted that in diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice with genetically compromised insulin signaling, fucoxanthin might increase the plasma levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. The anti-obesity effects of fucoxanthin are apparently mediated by the hormones leptin and adiponectin through their common target AMK-activated protein kinase, resulting in downregulation of lipogenic enzymes and upregulation of lipolytic enzymes. Fucoxanthin also suppresses adipocyte differentiation and induces the expression of uncoupling proteins in visceral adipose tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of experimental studies suggest that consumption of fucoxanthin and its derivatives as nutritional supplements is a promising option for prevention and treatment of obesity and a wide variety of related pathologies, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Yet, clinical trials are warranted to assess a therapeutic value of fucoxanthin.
authors.affiliation: State Institute of Gerontology, Kiev, Ukraine.
authors.forename: Kh
authors.initials: Kh
authors.lastname: Muradian
authors.affiliation: State Institute of Gerontology, Kiev, Ukraine. Electronic address: vaiserman23@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaiserman
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Medical Sciences, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: K-J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Fraifeld
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D052242:Adiponectin; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels; D020738:Leptin; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D050155:Lipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D008066:Lipolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D051381:Rats; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007473:Ion Channels; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1; D024341:Xanthophylls; C025164:fucoxanthin
keywords: Adipocyte differentiation; Brown seaweeds; Fucoxanthin; Lypogenesis and lipolysis; Obesity; Rodents; Uncoupling proteins