Oral administration of uridylic acid increases plasma leptin, but suppresses glucose and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in rats

Nucleic acids have been known to have biological effects on the digestive and immune systems, although less attention has been paid to the action on metabolism. In the present study, in order to investigate the effects of oral ingestion of uridylic acid (5′-uridine monophosphate, 5′-UMP) on hormonal and metabolic levels, we measured changes in the plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), weights of the liver and abdominal fat and fat accumulation in the liver and M. gastrocnemius in male rats. Intragastric administration of 5′-UMP via a stomach tube at a dose of 44 mg/day for 7 days slightly (P = 0.098) blunted the body weight gain without causing a significant change in food intake. The administration significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of glucose (P = 0.004) and NEFA (P = 0.004), whereas it significantly increased (P = 0.03) plasma leptin concentration. The weights of perirenal (but not epididymal) fat (P = 0.083) and the liver (P = 0.061) were slightly increased. The triacylglyceride concentration in M. gastrocnemius was slightly increased (P = 0.097), although the muscle weight was not significantly changed (P = 0.197). In summary, acute oral administration of 5′-UMP was effective in the rat in reducing plasma concentrations of glucose and NEFA, an effect that was accompanied by an elevated plasma leptin concentration.