title: The modulating effect of Persea americana fruit extract on the level of expression of fatty acid synthase complex, lipoprotein lipase, fibroblast growth factor-21 and leptin--A biochemical study in rats subjected to experimental hyperlipidemia and obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is a multifactorial disorder which is closely associated with hyperlipidemia. Avocados are edible fruits traditionally consumed for various health benefits including body weight reduction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effect of hydro-alcoholic fruit extract of avocado (HFEA) in rats fed with high fat diet (HFD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 rats were fed with normal diet. Groups 3 and 4 rats were fed with HFD for 14 weeks. In addition, Groups 2 and 4 rats were co-administered with 100 mg/kg body weight of HFEA from 3rd week onwards.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HFEA was subjected to HPLC to quantify the major phytonutrients. Body mass index (BMI), adiposity index (ADI), total fat pad mass (TFP), blood lipid levels were determined in all the groups of rats. The mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and leptin was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HFEA was found to contain flavonoids: rutin-141.79, quercetin-5.25, luteolin-165, phenolic compounds: gallic acid-198.57, ellagic acid-238.22, vanillic acid-4.79 and phytosterols: betasitosterol-70, stigmasterol-12.5 (mg/100 g). HFEA reduced BMI, ADI, TFP, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL in rats fed with HFD. Serum leptin was found reduced in HFEA co-administered rats. The mRNA expression of FASN, LPL, and leptin in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue was found to be significantly reduced in HFEA co-administered rats. The gene expression of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) was found to be significantly increased in HFEA treated rats when compared to HFD control rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hypolipidemic effect of HFEA may be partly due to its modulating effect on endogenous fat synthesis and adiponectin formation through the transcription factor FGF21. The results also show that avocado fruit extract has profound influence on leptin activity, which controls satiety and hunger to regulate the food intake.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Bharathi Women's College, Broadway, Chennai 600108, India.
authors: Padmanabhan
authors: P
authors: Monika
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Bharathi Women's College, Broadway, Chennai 600108, India. Electronic address: geethaugc2014@gmail.com.
authors: Arumugam
authors: A
authors: Geetha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D027421:Persea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D020738:Leptin; D010636:Phenols; D010840:Phytosterols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; C414620:fibroblast growth factor 21; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D002784:Cholesterol; D054890:Fatty Acid Synthase, Type I; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase
keywords: Adiponectin; Fatty acid synthase; Fibroblast growth factor-21; Hyperlipidemia; Leptin; Lipoprotein lipase