Decreased bodyweight without rebound and regulated lipoprotein metabolism by gymnemate in genetic multifactor syndrome animal.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to find obesity control method without rebound. In our previous studies, gymnemate extracted from Gymnema sylvestre, inhibited oleic acid absorption. The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat, a genetic multifactor syndrome model, exhibits progressive overweight, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. The effect of gymnemate on obesity in OLETF was investigated.

METHODS

Three groups were divided (n=4-8): (1) OLETF-gymnemate, gymnema water extract (containing gymnemate) diet (62.5 g/kg) and water (2.5 g/kg) were supplied 2 weeks from 26-28 weeks, following it general diet and water were fed 3 weeks to observe if it rebound, (2) OLETF-control and (3) the counterpart Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats as normal-control.

RESULTS

With gymnemate treatment, the food and water intake were decreased about 1/3 and 2/3, along with body weight reduced 57.2+/- 6.4 and 75.5+/- 6.3 g during 1 and 2 weeks respectively. In the end of experiment (3 weeks after gymnemate withdrawal), the body weight was decreased to no significant difference with normal-control. The total cholesterol was decreased about 1/3, moreover LDL+VLDL (low-density and very-low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol decreased about 1/2. The proportion of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol to the total cholesterol was increased. The serum triglyceride was decreased to the 1/4 of OLETF control. The level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride was no significant difference in gymnemate group with normal group.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with gymnemate promoted weight loss by its ability to reduce hyperlipidemia, which was no withdrawal rebound: an important discovery. Supplementation with gymnemate is a novel therapeutic tool for weight management, especially in multifactor syndrome.