title: Pectin supplementation in rats mitigates age-related impairment in insulin and leptin sensitivity independently of reducing food intake.
abstract: METHODS
  This study investigates whether pectin supplementation in adult rats can ameliorate age-associated disturbances in peripheral insulin and leptin actions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (rats fed ad libitum a standard-diet), pectin (rats fed ad libitum a standard-diet supplemented with 10% pectin), and pair-fed (rats pair-fed to the pectin group). They were sacrificed after 1 month. Pectin and pair-fed rats showed lower body weight gain and food intake than controls and underwent a decrease in leptin levels and an increase in adiponectin levels. Pectin-treated animals, but not pair-fed ones, showed lower body-fat content and HOMA-IR index after dietary intervention. Compared to controls, pectin-treated rats showed a decline in the expression of genes related to energy uptake (WAT) and lipogenesis (WAT and liver), and increased expression levels of lipolysis- and fatty-acid oxidation-related genes (liver). Some of the changes were not evidenced in the pair-fed group. These effects appear to be associated with improved leptin signaling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ten percent pectin supplementation for 1 month in adult rats decreases body-fat content and ameliorates age-related insulin and leptin resistance more intensely than what could be attributed to the decrease in energy intake, overall contributing to better metabolic health.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics), University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Mariona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics), University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics), University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García-Carrizo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics), University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Andreu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology (Nutrigenomics), University of the Balearic Islands and CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Picó
mesh_terms: D052436:Adipose Tissue, White / Q000187:drug effects; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010368:Pectins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins; D010368:Pectins
keywords: Aging; Dietary fiber; Insulin resistance; Leptin signaling; Pair feeding