The Beneficial Effect of Propolis on Fat Accumulation and Lipid Metabolism in Rats Fed a High‐Fat Diet

Abstract

This study examined whether propolis, which had many biological activities, affected body fat and lipid metabolism. Four-week-old Wistar rats were fed a control or propolis diet for 8 wk. The control group was fed a high-fat diet, the low and the high group were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) and 0.05% (w/w) propolis, respectively. The weight of total white adipose tissue of the high group was lower than that of the control group. The level of PPARgamma protein in the adipose tissues of the high group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In plasma and the liver, the high group showed a significantly reduced level of cholesterol and triglyceride compared to the control group. The liver PPARalpha protein level of the high group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The liver HMG-CoA reductase protein in the high group was also significantly lower than that in the control group. Results from rats on an olive oil loading test were used to investigate whether propolis inhibited triglyceride absorption. The serum triglyceride level of the group, which received propolis corresponding to the daily dose of the high group, was significantly lower than that of the control group. It is possible that the administration of propolis improves the accumulation of body fat and dyslipidemia via the change of the expression of proteins involved in adipose depot and lipid metabolism.

A novel role for thyroid-stimulating hormone: Up-regulation of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme a reductase expression through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element binding protei

“…It is well known that a high level of serum cholesterol, such as that seen after intake of foods rich in cholesterol, can dramatically decrease HMGCR expression in liver. 28 In contrast, the elevated hepatic HMGCR expression seen in our Tx animals occurred in a relative acute phase of hypothyroidism in which the positive effect of elevated TSH was probably quick and strong so that it overwhelmed the negative effect of the early and therefore still relatively mild hypercholesterolemia on the expression of hepatic HMGCR. This possibility is consistent with our finding that in these acutely hypothyroid Tx rats, administration of T 4 quickly and efficiently reversed the rise in HMGCR presumably through suppression of TSH secretion of the pituitary gland.…”

Brazilian Green Propolis Promotes Weight Loss and Reduces Fat Accumulation in C57BL/6 Mice Fed A High-Fat Diet

“…Previous studies showed that propolis improves insulin sensitivity during the prediabetic and diabetic stages in obese animals. 10) Our results showing that propolis reduces fat accumulation are consistent with results obtained by Ichi et al 10) Ichi et al reported that supplementation of propolis reduced white adipose tissue weight and serum levels of cholesterol and TG. As a possible mechanism, they proposed that propolis inhibits TG absorption that results in a reduction of serum TG concentration.…”

Propolis restored adiponectin level in type 2 diabetes through PPARγ activation

“…These effects were attenuated by propolis treatment. Of note, our findings provide ample support to the notion that propolis preparations could modulate lipid metabolism [35].…”