A Pilot Study on Anti-Obesity Mechanisms of <i>Kappaphycus</i> <i>Alvarezii</i>: The Role of Native κ-Carrageenan and the Leftover Sans-Carrageenan Fraction

• Main Authors: Yao Xian Chin, Ye Mi, Wan Xiu Cao, Phaik Eem Lim, Chang Hu Xue, Qing Juan Tang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: <i>Kappaphycus</i>; obesity; metabolic syndrome; carrageenan; food additive; zero-waste; functional food; precision nutrition; gut microbiota
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/5/1133

<i>Kappaphycus</i> is a commercially important edible red alga widely cultivated for carrageenan production. Here, we aimed to investigate the anti-obesity mechanism of <i>Kappaphycus</i> <i>alvarezii</i> by comparing the effects of whole seaweed (T), extracted native &#954;-carrageenan (CGN), and the leftover fraction sans-carrageenan (SCGN) supplementations (5%, <i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) on diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. A high-fat diet induced both a raised body fat percentage and serum cholesterol level, increased adipocytes size, abnormal levels of adipocytokines, and promoted gut dysbiosis. Our results showed that, overall, both CGN and SCGN were more effective in reversing obesity and related metabolic syndromes to normal levels than T. Furthermore, these findings suggested that CGN- and SCGN-modulated gut dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet, which may play an influencing role in adiponectin dysregulation. Our data also showed some evidence that CGN and SCGN have distinct effects on selected genes involved in lipid metabolism. In conclusion, both &#954;-carrageenan and SCGN have novel anti-obesity potential with possible different mechanisms of action.