Effects of Brassica oleracea extract on impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in highfat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To examine the effect of Brassica oleracea extract(BO) on impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: Obesity of ICR mice was induced by feeding a HFD(45 kcal% lard fat) for 16 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of study period, obese mice were additionally administered with BO(100 and 200 mg/kg/day). The metabolic parameters were determined. The gene expressions of hepatic lipogenesis were also studied. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, BO(100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity(P < 0.05). The serum lipid(total cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acid) and hepatic triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid were decreased(P < 0.05). The levels of insulin and leptin in serum were also decreased(P < 0.05). Moreover, the expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were decreased by BO treatment(P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that BO is a new therapeutic agent for improving the homeostasis of glucose and lipid in HFD-induced obese mice probably by suppression of lipogenic genes in liver tissue.