title: Lycium chinense Improves Post-Menopausal Obesity via Regulation of PPAR-γ and Estrogen Receptor-α/β Expressions.
abstract: The fruit of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae) is used as a functional food and a medicinal herb for treating many specific health concerns. Weight gain induced by estrogen deficiency is a problem for post-menopausal women around the globe. The present study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of L. chinense (LC) on post-menopausal obesity. Female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized and fed on high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce post-menopausal obesity. LC extract (1[Formula: see text]mg/kg and 10[Formula: see text]mg/kg) was orally administrated for 6 weeks with continuous HFD feeding. Ovarian adipose tissues and uterus were weighed. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose levels were analyzed. The expressions of adipocyte-specific factors and estrogen receptors (ERs) were investigated. Additionally, lipid accumulation was confirmed in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Increased body weight due to post-menopausal obesity was ameliorated about 14.7% and 17.76% by treatment of 1[Formula: see text]mg/kg and 10[Formula: see text]mg/kg LC, respectively. LC treatment reduced both of serum lipid and fasting blood glucose levels. Adipocyte hypertrophy and fatty liver were ameliorated in LC-treated groups. In LC-treated adipocyte cells, lipid accumulation was significantly inhibited. The expression of perilipin in adipose tissues was decreased by LC. In addition, expression of PPAR-[Formula: see text] protein was down-regulated in adipose tissues and differentiated adipocytes, while GLUT4 expression was increased in adipose tissues by LC treatment. Moreover, LC treatment up-regulated the expressions of ER-[Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] accompanied with increased uterine weight. These results showed the ameliorative effects of LC on overweight after menopause. Post-menopausal obesity may be improved by LC treatment.
authors.affiliation: * Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Hye
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: † College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: * Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: You Yeon
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: ‡ College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jongki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: * Department of Convergence Korean Medical Science, College of Korean Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Woong Mo
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D032305:Lycium; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; C405683:Ncoa6 protein, mouse; D056918:Nuclear Receptor Coactivators; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Estrogen Receptor; Medicine; Menopause; Obesity; PPAR Gamma; Traditional