YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2008-08-01

[Effects of zingerone on fat storage in ovariectomized rats].

Li-Kun Han, Chie Morimoto, Yi-Nan Zheng, Wei Li, Etsuko Asami, Hiromichi Okuda, Masato Saito

Index: Yakugaku Zasshi 128(8) , 1195-201, (2008)

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Abstract

We reported that ginger prevented obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet in previous study. In this experiment, we examined the effects of zingerone, the major pungent component of ginger on fat storage in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Oral administration of 170 mg/kg zingerone significantly reduced body weight and the final parametrail adipose tissue weight in ovariectomized rats. Blood glucose levels after oral administration of glucose were lower in zingerone-treated Ovx-rats than in the Ovx-rats (control). Basal lipolysis in zingerone-treated Ovx-rats was increased compared with that in the Ovx-rats. Zingerone significantly increased norepinephrine-induced lipolysis associated with the translocation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) from the cytosol to lipid droplets in adipocytes. These results indicate that zingerone may prevent the fat storage through increasing norepinephrine-induced lipolysis in adipocytes.