Beneficial effects of phosphatidylcholine on high-fat diet-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia and fatty liver in mice

AimsSoybean-derived PC is an essential cell membrane phospholipid that is composed of unsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential alleviation effects of soybean PC on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related complications.Main methodsWe fed C57BL/6 mice a HFD for 12 weeks and administered PC orally for 8 or 12 weeks at different doses. At the end of the experiment, blood was prepared for biochemical analysis and leptin ELISA. Aorta, epididymal and mesenteric fat and liver were removed surgically, weighed and observed for histological or immunohistochemical changes.Key findingsPC significantly prevented body weight gain and lipid accumulation and alleviated hyperlipidemia by decreasing triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels and the atherogenic index in serum or by increasing the HDL/TC ratio. Aortic apoE expression and serum leptin levels were suppressed by PC treatment in the HFD-induced obese mouse model. Elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in HFD-fed mice were decreased in the PC groups. PC treatment significantly decreased HFD-induced liver weight and hepatic lipid accumulation.SignificancePC treatment alleviated HFD-induced obese status and obesity-related complications such as hyperlipidemic changes that induce cardiovascular disease and NAFLD.