Anti-obesity and insulin-sensitising effects of a glycosaminoglycan mix

The potential of a mixture of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contained in an oral supplement for joint discomfort (OralviscTM) to prevent diet-induced obesity (DIO) and to serve as co-adjuvant in weight loss strategies was studied. Oral treatment with the GAG mix did not counteract the development of DIO in obesity-prone mice but reduced food intake under normal fat diet and led to increased insulin sensitivity under both normal and high fat diets. During reversal of DIO, GAG-treated obese mice showed higher and faster loss of body fat and displayed decreased endpoint adiposity, leptinaemia and hepatic steatosis and signs of increased insulin sensitivity compared with vehicle-treated controls. Expression of oxidative metabolism-related genes and mitochondrial DNA content were increased in visceral white fat depots of GAG-treated animals. The results sustain this GAG mix in functional foods/supplements for obesity and particularly for the (frequent) combination of obesity and joint dysfunction symptoms.