1015–1021
Effects of bixin in high-fat diet-fed-induced fatty liver in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Rosa Martha Perez Gutierrez, Rita Valadez Romero
Number of views: 399
Objective: To evaluate the anti-obesity activity of bixin (BIX) on C57BL/6J mice which
were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and to determine the mechanism of this effect.
Methods: C57BL/6J mice were separately fed a high-calorie diet or a normal diet for 8
weeks, then they were treated with BIX for another 13 weeks. After administration for 13
weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Body adiposity, serum lipid level, and insulin
resistance were evaluated. In addition, a histological assay of pancreas and liver, an
evaluation of the inhibitory properties on pancreatic lipase, and a-amylase were
conducted.
Results: Administration of BIX significantly decreased the body weight gain, adipocyte
size, fat pad weights, hepatic lipid levels in HFD-induced obese mice. In addition,
reduced liver weight exhibited decreased serum leptin levels, malic enzyme, glucose-6-
phosphate dehydrogenase, hepatic fatty acid synthase, aspartate aminotransferase,
alanine aminotransferase and hepatic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity. However,
superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione levels were
increased in hepatic tissue. BIX also decreased lipid and carbohydrates absorption due to
inhibition of pancreatic lipase and a-amylase. Long term supplementation of BIX
significantly decreased hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance and glucose level. Decreased
levels of hepatic steatosis and the islets of Langerhans appeared less shrunken in HFD-fed
mice.
Conclusions: The antiobesity effect of BIX appears to be associated at least in part, to its
inhibitory effect on lipids and carbohydrate digestion enzymes such as pancreatic lipase,
a-glucosidase, and a-amylase. The results suggested that BIX also act as an antioxidant
and may treat visceral obesity normalizing glucose levels, improving insulin resistance
and increasing energy expenditure. Therefore, achiote which has a main component, the
carotenoid BIX, could be a viable food for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.