Sesamol ameliorates diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice and suppresses adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells via regulating mitochondria-lipid metabolism.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of sesamol, a natural powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phenol derivative of sesame oil, on adiposity and adiposity-related metabolic disturbances in mice fed with western diet, and the potential underlying mechanisms focusing on the mitochondria-lipid metabolism.

In the experimental model that consisted of 3-month-old C57BL/6J mice divided into three groups with/without sesamol in the drinking water including standard diet, high fat and high fructose diet (HFFD), and HFFD with sesamol. Results demonstrated that sesamol mitigated bodyweight gain, development of insulin resistance induced by HFFD. Sesamol was found partially normalized serum and hepatic lipid contents, as well as suppressed HFFD-induced lipogenesis in liver via regulating mitochondria-related triglyceride/cholesterol metabolism genes expressions. Importantly, sesamol decreased mass and adipocyte sizes of white adipose tissues and brown adipose tissues by improving mitochondria-related genes expressions including Pgc1a and Ucp1. Moreover, sesamol was also found to reduce differentiation and mitochondrial metabolic inhibitors (oligomycin and antimycin A) stimulated lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Taken together, this study provides compelling evidence that sesamol supplementation reduced adipocyte size and adipogenesis of diet-induced obesity by regulating mitochondria lipid metabolism.