Gum arabic down-regulate PPAR-γ and SCD mRNA expression in mice

IntroductionGum arabic is a complex polysaccharide used in the food industry as a thickener and stabilizer. It reduced plasma cholesterol level in animals and humans, and it has prebiotic, anticarcinogenic and anti-oxidant effect with a protective role against hepatic and cardiac toxicities.AimTo study the impact of gum arabic on body weight, adipose tissue weight, lipid profiles and expression of some gene control lipid metabolism.Material and methods20 female CD-1 mice at 5 weeks age were divided into two groups, one served as control and the second received 10% of gum arabic in drinking water for 6 weeks. Liver and visceral adipose tissue and serum were collected from all groups. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-c and LDL-c were assayed using kits, and the expression of lipid metabolic enzyme gene was detected by RT-PCR.Results and discussionThe results showed that gum arabic significantly decreased body weight (P < 0.05) and visceral adipose tissue weight (P < 0.01). Gum arabic non-significantly (P < 0.05) reduces blood glucose and total cholesterol, and increased HDL-c. The expression of lipid metabolic enzyme gene showed that gum arabic significantly (P < 0.05) down-regulated PPAR-γ and SCD expression. However, gum arabic has no significant (P < 0.05) effect on HMGR, G6P, CYP17, Sreb, TNF-α, FAS, MGL, ATGL, HSL and ACC gene expression.ConclusionsThe results conclude that gum arabic can reduce body weight and visceral adipose tissue weight, and down-regulated PPAR-γ and SCD gene expression.