Conjugated linoleic acid and L-carnitine combination effects on obesity-related miRNAs in diet-induced obese rats

Maryam Nazari*, Mahsa Jalili*, Atefeh As'habi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity is a major global health issue, resulting in significant costs and increased mortality rates. Finding effective treatments for obesity is therefore essential. This study investigated the combined effects of L-Carnitine (LC) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on weight loss and adipose tissue microRNA levels. Subjects /methods: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 150–200 g and about 8 weeks old were fed either a normal fat diet (NFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Afterwards, the HFD group was randomly divided into four subgroups: control, LC (200 mg kg−1), CLA (500 mg kg−1), and both (n = 8 in each group). The study lasted for an additional 4 weeks. The animals' weights were recorded regularly, and after 12 weeks, miRNAs were extracted from epididymal adipose tissue and analysed using real-time PCR. The miRNA expression levels of miR-27a and miR-143 were compared between groups using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and one-way ANOVA tests in SPSS software. Results: At the end of the first 8 weeks, the HFD group weighed significantly more than the NFD group. LC significantly decreased weight gain (4.2%) compared to the control group, whereas CLA alone (3.5%) or in combination with LC (3.1%) did not significantly slow weight gain. Real-time PCR results showed that the HFD group had higher miR-143 levels and lower miR-27a levels compared to the NFD group. LC and CLA increased miR-27a expression after 4 weeks, but their combination decreased miR-27a expression. CLA alone reduced miR-143 expression, whereas LC had almost no effect. Their combination also reduced miR-143 expression. Conclusion: CLA and LC, which are considered weight loss supplements, can potentially regulate metabolism and cellular pathways. However, their combination did not show a synergistic effect on weight loss, possibly due to the reduction in miR-27a expression. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of combined fat burners on obesity treatment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalObesity Research and Clinical Practice
Volume17
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)378-382
ISSN1871-403X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to express their gratitude to all the individuals who contributed to the completion of this study. We thank the laboratory staff for their technical assistance and valuable comments on the experimental design. We also acknowledge the financial support provided by Research Deputies of Jundishapur University of medical Sciences. Finally, we are grateful to the participants who volunteered their time and effort to make this study possible.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Keywords

  • Conjugated linoleic acid
  • Fat-burner
  • L-Carnitine
  • MiRNA
  • Obesity

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