Abdominal obesity is a principal risk factor in the development of
metabolic syndrome. Previously, we showed that a
palatinose-based liquid formula, Inslow/MHN-01, suppressed postprandial plasma
glucose level and reduced visceral fat accumulation better than the standard formula (SF). To elucidate the mechanism of Inslow-mediated anti-
obesity effect, expression levels of genes involved in the
glucose and lipid metabolism were compared in Inslow- and SF-fed rats. Both fasting plasma
insulin level and average islet sizes were reduced in the Inslow group. We also found less abdominal fat accumulation and reduced hepatic
triacylglycerol content in the Inslow group. Expression of the beta-oxidation
enzymes and uncoupling potein-2 (UCP-2) mRNAs in the liver of the Inslow group were higher than the SF group, which was due to a concomitant higher expression of the
peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (
PPAR)-alpha mRNA in the former. Furthermore, expression of the UCP-2 and
adiponectin mRNAs in the epididymal fat were higher in the Inslow group than the SF group, and were stimulated by a concomitant increase of the
PPAR-gamma gene expression in the former. These results strongly suggested that the anti-
obesity effect of Inslow was due to an increase in the hepatic
PPAR-alpha and adipocyte
PPAR-gamma gene expressions.