Intervention with citrus flavonoids reverses obesity and improves metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis in obese Ldlr−/− mice

• DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m087387
• Publication Date: 2018-07-15T12:05:11Z
• Authors: Amy C. Burke; Brian G. Sutherland; Dawn E. Telford; Marisa R. Morrow; Cynthia G. Sawyez; Jane Y. Edwards; Maria Drangova; Murray W. Huff
• Keywords: Hyperlipidemia; Steatosis

Obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunction cardiovascular disease risk represent a leading cause of adult morbidity worldwide. Currently available pharmacological therapies for obesity have had limited success in reversing existing dysregulation. Previous prevention studies demonstrated that the citrus flavonoids, naringenin nobiletin, protect against Ldlr-/- mice fed high-fat cholesterol-containing (HFHC) diet. However, their effects an intervention model are unknown. In this report, we show that, with diet-induced obesity, flavonoid supplementation to HFHC diet reversed adipocyte size number through enhanced energy expenditure increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Caloric intake was unaffected no evidence white adipose tissue browning observed. Reversal adiposity accompanied by improvements hyperlipidemia, insulin sensitivity, steatosis, modest reduction blood monocytes. Together, resulted atherosclerotic lesions were unchanged size, but characterized reduced macrophage content, consistent more stable plaque phenotype. These further suggest potential therapeutic utility especially context dysfunction, disease.