BACKGROUND Astaxanthin suppressed obesity in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD) via the restriction of adipose tissue build-out, therefore, improving insulin sensitivity and inflammation. Metformin reduces insulin resistance and may reduce weight. AIM Investigation of the effects of astaxanthin and metformin in obesity prompted by a high-fat diet. OBJECTIVE The present article investigates the effects of astaxanthin and metformin in obesity prompted by a high-fat diet in rats through measuring miRNA222 and 378. MATERIALS The rats were classified into four classes containing ten albino rats each: Group I (Normal group): nourished with ordinary diet for 8weeks. Group II (Control positive): nourished with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Group III: nourished with astaxanthin (50mg/kg)(1/40 LD50) orally plus a high-fat diet for 8weeks. Group IV: nourished with metformin (500mg/kg) orally plus a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. METHODS Leptin, adiponectin, calprotectin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assessed by rat-specific ELISA kits. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), miRNA222 and miRNA378 expressions were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS Astaxanthin and metformin have anti-obesity and antioxidant actions and significantly decreased the weight of the body, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, triglycerides and leptin, as well as plasma calprotectin & IL-6 and increased HDL-C and adiponectin. The liver TNF-α gene expression, adipose tissue miRNA222 and miRNA378 expression were decreased compared to HFD control rats. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Astaxanthin has regulated the aberrant expression of miRNA222 and 378 that may be related to hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. Accordingly, astaxanthin deserves a clinical trial in the future due to its effects on miRNAs involved in obesity.

中文翻译：

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Astaxanthin 减弱高脂饮食诱导的大鼠肥胖中的脂联素、钙卫蛋白、miRNA222 和 miRNA378。

背景虾青素通过限制脂肪组织的形成来抑制高脂饮食 (HFD) 大鼠的肥胖，从而改善胰岛素敏感性和炎症。二甲双胍可降低胰岛素抵抗并可能减轻体重。AIM 研究虾青素和二甲双胍对高脂饮食引起的肥胖的影响。目的本文通过测定 miRNA222 和 378 研究虾青素和二甲双胍对大鼠高脂饮食诱发肥胖的影响。 材料 将大鼠分为 4 类，每类 10 只白化大鼠： I 组（正常组）：营养普通饮食8周。第 II 组（对照阳性）：用高脂肪饮食喂养 8 周。第三组：口服虾青素（50mg/kg）（1/40 LD50）加高脂饮食8周。第四组：口服二甲双胍（500mg/kg）加高脂饮食8周。方法瘦素、脂联素、钙卫蛋白和白细胞介素6（IL-6）通过大鼠特异性ELISA试剂盒进行评估。通过定量实时 PCR 对肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)、miRNA222 和 miRNA378 的表达进行量化。结果虾青素和二甲双胍具有抗肥胖和抗氧化作用，显着降低体重、葡萄糖、胰岛素、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、甘油三酯和瘦素，以及血浆钙卫蛋白和IL-6，增加HDL-C和脂联素。与HFD对照大鼠相比，肝脏TNF-α基因表达、脂肪组织miRNA222和miRNA378表达降低。讨论与结论虾青素调控了可能与高脂血症和胰岛素抵抗有关的miRNA222和378的异常表达。因此，虾青素由于其对肥胖相关 miRNA 的影响而值得在未来进行临床试验。