Development of Monascus Functional Food for the Prevention of Fat Accumulation

• Main Authors: Wen-Pei Chen, 陳汶佩
• Other Authors: Tzu-Ming Pan
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/09685756991327600233

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 微生物與生化學研究所 === 95 === Obesity is associated with high risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In this study, we used 3T3-L1 cell line as in vitro model to examin the effects of extracts of red mold rice (RMR) and red mold dioscorea (RMD) on proliferation and differentiation in preadipocyte as well as lipolysis and heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity in mature adipocyte. Furthermore, we also investigated the in vivo antiobesity effects of Monascus fermented products by animal experiment. Male Wistar rats were fed high-fat diet (HF) and Monascus fermented products at the same time. After six weeks, rats were sacrificed for evaluation. As results in cellular experiment, ethanol extracts of RMR and RMD and water extract of RMD had inhibitive effects on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation and differentiation. However, water extract of RMD was not able to affect preadipocyte proliferation but reduce the triglyceride content in cell during adipogenesis. The water extracts but not ethanol extracts of RMR or RMD could induce lipolysis in mature adipocyte, and RMR water extract had stronger effect. 3T3-L1 adipocyte treated with the ethanol extract of RMD had lower heparin-releasable LPL (HR-LPL) activity. In animal experiment, rats fed HF diet supplemented with 0.4% and 2% (w/w) RMR had less perirenal and epididymal fat pads, moreover the weight gain were significantly decreased compared with HF control. These effects probably resulted from reducing calorie intake as well as increasing lipolysis activity in perirenal and epididymal adipose tissues. Rats fed with high dose RMD (2%, w/w) also had less adipose tissue mass and weight gain. Stimulating lipolysis in epididymal fat pads and lowering HR-LPL activity in perierenal fat pads as well as decreasing calorie intake might illustrate the influence of high dose RMD. In our animal model, the major effect of Monascus fermented products was inhibiting hypertrophy in adipocyte. However, the Monascus fermented products had inhibitive effects on proliferation and differentiation in preadipocyte, which could avoid fat cell formation. Monacoin K (lovastatin) had inhibitive effects on food intake and differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte, which may be one of the functional ingredients in Monascus fermented products. On the other hand, rat fed Monascus fermented products had lower serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and insulin while hepatic lipids and serum parameters without any significant difference. This study reveals for the first time that Monascus fermented products could prevent body fat accumulation and improve dyslipidemia and hyperinsulinemia induced by high-fat diet, which has potential to be an antiobesity functional food.