Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are found in limited foods. In these medium-chain oil resources, the abundance of lauric acid (LA) is the highest among medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), and its effects on lipid metabolism in obese rats have not been well-studied. This study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of lauric triglyceride (LT) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. LA and glycerin were used to synthesize LT, then LT was used to treat obese rats for 12 weeks. The results showed that LT significantly reduced the body weight, body mass index, and Lee's index in obese rats. The mRNA expression levels of the anorexic neuropeptide POMC in the hypothalamus between the LT group and the other groups were not different, while the gene expression levels of the orexigenic neuropeptides NPY and AGRP decreased significantly in the LT group. Except serum cholesterol, LT improved the serum triglyceride metabolism in the obese rats and reduced adipocyte and hepatic lipid deposition. Moreover, LT inhibited the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and proteins (SREBP-1c, ACC1, and FASN) and increased the expression of lipolysis (ATGL, HSL, and LPL) and β-oxidation (PPARα, CPT-1a, and PCG-1α) related genes and proteins in the white fat and liver. Furthermore, LT increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial-biosynthesis-related genes (SIRT1, NRF1, and TFAM) in the liver. The results indicated that LT ameliorates diet-induced obesity in rats.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the reduction in the potential allergenicity of soymilk, and its rheological properties, after fermentation with Lactobacillus. Soymilk (SM) was fermented with Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus sp. The molecular weight of fermented soymilk (FSM) was characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), and the potential allergenicity of FSM was analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in vitro and the BALB/c mouse model to detect changes in histamine, mouse mast cell protease‐1 (mMCP‐1), allergen‐specific IgG/IgE, and cytokine levels and histomorphology of jejunum in vivo. RESULTS The SDS‐PAGE and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that allergens of soybean (β‐conglycinin and acidic subunit of glycinin) were almost degraded, and their immunoreactivity was decreased. In the BALB/c mouse model, the FSM group did not show anaphylactic shock symptoms compared with the SM group. Moreover, a tendency toward decreased serum allergen‐specific IgG/IgE levels, plasma histamine levels, and mMCP‐1 concentrations was observed in the FSM group. Furthermore, Th2‐related cytokines were decreased, while IFN‐γ production increased in spleen cell cultures. The intestinal villus was slightly damaged after the challenge. All these findings indicated that the Th1/Th2 balance in the FSM group shifted toward a Th1 response, ultimately reducing the potential allergenicity of FSM. Rheological assessment suggested that FSM has good viscous and pseudoplastic properties. CONCLUSION Fermentation might be a promising method for producing tasty, hypoallergenic soybean products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

This study indicates that the immobilised Alcalase can be used to hydrolyse continuously egg white protein for potential allergenicity reduction. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.