The overweight and obese population has skyrocketed, resulting in a high incidence of metabolic disorders. Agardhiella subulata (AS) contains a variety of beneficial components, such as sulfur-containing polysaccharides (dietary fiber) and astaxanthin, which is considered to have anti-obesity potential. In this study, we investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of dietary AS on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. AS supplementation significantly reduced HFD-induced weight gain (19%) and the visceral adiposity index (4.1%). In addition, the level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein was significantly decreased; adiponectin was significantly increased in serum and fecal triglyceride excretion was significantly higher in mice fed AS compared with mice on an HFD. Preadipocyte factor 1 and Sry-box transcription factor 9 that were significantly higher than the levels found for the HFD group lead to reduced adipogenesis. Moreover, accompanying the lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation that occur in the AS group, the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was lowered to 0.4 ± 0.1 mEq/L. In addition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and phosphorylation acetyl-CoA carboxylase increased 1.5- and 1-fold, thus increasing the expression of adiponectin and the activation of AMPK and ultimately resulting in lower blood glucose levels. The results of this study suggest that AS supplementation increases lipid excretion and improves energy metabolism to prevent obesity in mice fed a HFD.
Keywords: Agardhiella subulata; adipogenesis; anti-obesity; lipolysis; β-oxidation.