Effects of sacha inchi oil intake on lifestyle-related diseases in mice

抄録

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubills L.) oil (SIO) is novel dietary vegetable oil rich in alpha-linolenic acid, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have the health benefits in lifestyle-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine whether dietary intake of SIO affects development of obesity and diabetes. Male obese ob/ob mice were divided into 2 groups, the control group and SIO group. For 7 weeks, animals were fed AIN93G diet (control group), or fat-free AIN93G diet containing 7 w/w% SIO as the only fat nutrient (SIO group). During the administration period, animal body weight and food intake were weighed weekly. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) was performed in the 7th week. Blood glucose levels were examined before and 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the oral glucose administration (1 g/kg). Liver, pancreas and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) weights and mRNA expression were evaluated. There were no differences in body weight and food intake between the 2 groups during the administration period. In the GTT, blood glucose levels 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the glucose administration in the SIO group appeared to be lower than those in the control group. Relative weight of epididymal WAT in the SIO group was lower than that of the control group. Adiponectin mRNA expressions in WAT and liver of the SIO group increased compared with those of the control group. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that SIO intake in ob/ob mice for 7 weeks may slightly reduce the increase in blood glucose level by glucose load, and may induce the decrease in WAT weight. It was suggested that the lipid metabolism concerned with adiponectin mRNA expressions in WAT and liver may change in the ob/ob mice fed diet containing SIO. Further studies would be required to elucidate the mechanism of the SIO effects.