Okra polysaccharide improves metabolic disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013 Nov;57(11):2075-8. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201300054. Epub 2013 Jul 26.

Abstract

Okra is a tropical vegetable that is rich in polysaccharides. Here, we investigated the effects of okra polysaccharide (OP) on metabolic disorders in mice. We found that OP lowered body weight and glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, and decreased serum total cholesterol levels in high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice. OP regulated the gene expression of liver X receptors (LXRs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and their target genes in the liver and the adipose tissue of the mice. These results suggest that OP may have therapeutic effects on metabolic diseases via the inhibition of LXR and PPAR signaling.

Keywords: Diabetes; Hyperlipidemia; Metabolic syndrome; Okra; Polysaccharide.

MeSH terms

  • Abelmoschus / chemistry*
  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Metabolic Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Obese
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / genetics
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / metabolism
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / genetics
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides
  • Cholesterol