Tetra-O-methyl Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Reduces Weight Gain in Mice

[摘要] Tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid (M4N) is a semi-synthetic derivative of the creosote bush molecule nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA).NDGA alters the function and/or expression of components in the fat metabolic pathway, such as acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA, fatty acid synthase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1.A benefit to using M4N over NDGA, however, is that M4N has reduced acute toxicity levels in vivo.We believed M4N was capable of altering the functions of these components similar to NDGA, and therefore would cause reduced body weight in mice fed M4N.The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of M4N on food consumption and weight accumulation in mice fed a high-fat diet.Results from this experiment showed that although mice with a high-fat diet (HF) and high-fat diet containing M4N (HFD) consumed nearly the same amount of food, HFs gained significantly more weight (31%) than HFDs (14%).The retroperitoneal and subcutaneous fat pads of HFs also appeared to be enlarged in comparison to HFDs.Taken together, this data suggests that similar to NDGA, M4N has the ability to alter fat metabolism and reduce weight gain in mice.Understanding mechanisms that allow for the control of fat metabolism has become of increased importance, as the rates of obesity have increased globally.

[发布机构] Johns Hopkins University

[效力级别] M4N

[关键词] tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid;M4N;terameprocol;high-fat;weight;Biology