Effect of FC-GT Supplement on Body Fat and Lipid Metabolism in Rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of an antiobese functional formula(FC-GT) on body weight and lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet. Three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed different diets for 6 weeks: normal control (NC), high-fat (HF), and high-fat supplemented with powdered antiobese functional formula (FC-GT) (5%, wt/wt) groups. Although body weight was not significantly different among the groups, relative weights of epididymal and perirenal white adipose tissues were significantly lower in the FC-GT group than in the HF group. FC-GT supplementation significantly lowered the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, whereas it elevated the ratio of HDL-C/total-C and improved the atherogenic index. Hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly lowered in the FC-GT group compared to the HF group. The accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets and the epididymal white adipocyte size of the FC-GT group were diminished compared to the HF group. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly lower in the FC-GT group than in the HF group. Plasma GPT activity was significantly lowered in the FC-GT group compared to the HF group. Additionally, fecal weight was significantly increased in the FC-GT group than in the HF group. In addition, contents of fecal triglyceride and cholesterol were significantly higher in the FC-GT group compared to the other groups. The antioxidant activities of hepatic SOD, CAT, and GR were significantly increased in the FC-GT group compared to the HF group. Hepatic TBARS and plasma TBARS levels were significantly lowered in the FC-GT group compared to the NC group. Accordingly, we conclude that supplementation of FC-GT improves plasma and hepatic lipid levels in high-fat fed rats.