Reduction of diet-induced obesity by a combination of tea-catechin intake and regular swimming

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803135

Abstract

Objective:

Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from imbalance between metabolizable energy intake and energy expenditure. It is known to be a strong risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of long-term intake of tea catechins (Cat) in combination with regular exercise (Ex) on the development of obesity in C57BL/6 mice.

Design:

We compared body weight, adipose tissue mass, plasma parameters and -oxidation activity in mice fed a low-fat diet (5% triglyceride (TG); LF), a high-fat diet (30% TG; HF), a HF diet supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) tea Cat, a HF diet in addition to swimming Ex or a HF diet plus 0.5% tea Cat in addition to swimming Ex (Cat+Ex) for 15 weeks. Oxygen consumption and respiratory quotients were measured using indirect calorimetry.

Results:

Tea-Cat intake in combination with swimming Ex suppressed HF diet-induced body-weight gain by 18 and 22%, respectively, compared to Ex and tea-Cat intake on their own. Visceral fat accumulation and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia were also reduced in the HF+Cat+Ex group. Muscular -oxidation activity in this group was 69 and 52% higher, respectively, than that in the HF and HF+Cat groups. Lipid oxidation, determined using indirect calorimetry, was higher in the HF+Cat+Ex group, suggesting increased lipid utilization at the individual level.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that intake of tea Cat, together with regular Ex helps to reduce diet-induced obesity. This effect might be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of whole-body energy metabolism.

Keywords:

-oxidation, lipid metabolism, visceral fat, swimming exercise, catechins, green tea

Original Article