Pomegranate seed oil, a rich source of punicic acid, prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Abstract Background Pomegranate seed oil has been shown to protect against diet induced obesity and insulin resistance. Objective To characterize the metabolic effects of punicic acid on high fat diet induced obesity and insulin resistance. Design High-fat diet or high-fat diet with 1% Pomegranate seed oil (PUA) was fed for 12 weeks to induce obesity and insulin resistance. We assessed body weight and composition (pSABRE DEXA-scan), energy expenditure (Columbus Instruments) and insulin sensitivity at the end of the 12 weeks. Results PSO intake resulted in a lower body weight, 30.5 ± 2.9 vs 33.8 ± 3.2 g PSO vs HFD respectively, p  = 0.02, without affecting food intake or energy expenditure. The lower body weight was fully explained by a decreased body fat mass, 3.3 ± 2.3 vs 6.7 ± 2.7 g for PSO and HFD fed mice, respectively, p  = 0.02. Insulin clamps showed that PSO did not affect liver insulin sensitivity but clearly improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, 164 ± 52% vs 92 ± 24% for PSO and HFD fed mice respectively, p  = 0.01. Conclusions We conclude that dietary PSO ameliorates high-fat diet induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice, independent of changes in food intake or energy expenditure.