Antiobesity and Hepatoprotective Effects of Protein Hydrolysates Derived from Protaetia brevitarsis in an Obese Mouse Model

Abstract

Background. Obesity induced by excessive nutrients can cause fatty liver and metabolic dysfunction, which leads to hepatic dysfunction and local/systemic inflammatory responses. Previously, we analyzed the antioxidant, antilipotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory effects of protein hydrolysates in vitro. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antiobesity and hepatoprotective effects of protein hydrolysates derived from Protaectia brevitas (PHPB) in an obese mouse model. Methods. For this in vivo study, 40 mice were included and divided into four groups: (1) normal diet group, (2) high-fat-diet (ctrl(–)) group, (3) high-fat-diet and silymarin-treated (ctrl(+)) group, and (4) high-fat-diet and PHPB-treated group. After 6 weeks of treatment, body weight and the amount of daily food intake were observed. Moreover, the major organs and blood of animals were collected for the analysis of serum chemistry, histopathological examination, and obesity- and inflammation-related gene expressions. Results. The body weight and the amount of daily food intake significantly decreased in the PHPB-treated group compared with those in the ctrl(–) group. The levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, bilirubin, total cholesterol, TG, low-density lipoprotein, IL-6, TNF-α, and IGF-1 significantly reduced in the PHPB-treated group, whereas the serum free fatty acid, albumin, high-density lipoprotein, and adiponectin concentrations increased. In the analysis of weight of the liver, kidney, lungs, spleen, and fat tissues (from epididymal, perirenal, and mesentery tissues), the PHPB-treated group showed decreased values compared with the ctrl(–) group. In the histopathological analysis, the PHPB-treated group showed significantly reduced macrovesicular fatty change and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver, and the size of the adipocyte in the epididymis also significantly decreased. The obesity- and inflammation-related gene (IL-6, TNF-α, IGF-1, leptin, AP2/FABP4, AMPK-α2, β3AR, and PPAR-γ) expressions in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue were reduced in the PHPB-treated group. Conclusions. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the protein hydrolysates that derived from Protaectia brevitas produce antiobesity and hepatoprotective effects via anti-inflammatory activities.

Fermented Protaetia brevitarsis Larvae Ameliorates Chronic Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice via AMPK and TLR-4/TGF-β1 Pathways

“…Therefore, alcohol consumption leads to fatty liver, which can create an environment in the liver that is more susceptible to alcoholic liver damage. It has been reported that the protein hydrolysates of P. brevitarsis larvae improved liver injury by regulating mRNA expressions of AP2/FABP4, AMPKα2, and PPAR-γ and decreasing adipocyte size in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced fatty liver mice [ 67 ]. Ahn et al .…”

“…Several in vitro studies reported that P. brevitarsis larvae exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells [ 73 , 74 ]. In addition, P. brevitarsis larvae reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the adipose tissue of HFD-induced mice [ 67 ]. In a previous study, arginine improved inflammatory changes in the liver by decreasing levels of endotoxin, MDA, and the expression of p-NF-κB, and TNF-α in ethanol-induced rats [ 75 ].…”

In vivo efficacy evaluation of white‐spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) extract for improving blood circulation

“…Moreover, Lee et al . (2022) observed that the levels of serum TCHO and LDLC are significantly reduced and the serum HDLC level is increased in the protein hydrolysates derived from PBS extract‐treated group. There is no clear explanation for this discrepancy; however, it may be partially explained by the absence of a proportional pattern of TCHO, HDLC, and LDLC levels following the administration of the PBS extract.…”

“…These outcomes are inconsistent with those of Ahn et al (2019), who found a reduction in serum lipid parameters after the administration of PBS extract to HFD-fed obese mice. Moreover, Lee et al (2022) observed that the levels of serum TCHO and LDLC are significantly reduced and the serum HDLC level is increased in the protein hydrolysates derived from PBS extract-treated group. There is no clear explanation for this discrepancy; however, it may be partially explained by the absence of a proportional pattern of TCHO, HDLC, and LDLC levels following the administration of the Note: The mean differences between the control and each experimental group were measured using an independent sample t-test.…”

Protaetia brevitarsis larvae extract ameliorated obesity in high fat diet-fed mice by modulating gut microbiota and lipid metabolism

“…Currently, the edible insects reported to inhibit and treat obesity and metabolic diseases mainly include Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, Locusta migratoria, Allomyrina dichotoma, etc [16][17][18]. As for P. brevitarsis, P. brevitarsis protein hydrolysate could effectively reduce the levels of blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol and triglyceride, and increase the high-density lipoprotein, IL-6, TNF-α and IGF-1 in serum of the HFD-fed mice [19]. Meanwhile, P. brevitarsis 70% ethanol extract could effectively reduce the body weight, liver lipid accumulation and serum parameters of obese mice, and inhibit the expression of C/EBPa, FAS and aP2 genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [20].…”