Modulatory effects of policosanol from insect wax on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed rats

Xian Li; Xin Zhang; Chenjing Ma; Long Sun; Zhao He; Jin Gan; Weifeng Ding; Xiaoming Chen; Hang Chen; Ying Feng

Journal of Functional Foods (Nov 2023)

Modulatory effects of policosanol from insect wax on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-fed rats

Xian Li,
Xin Zhang,
Chenjing Ma,
Long Sun,
Zhao He,
Jin Gan,
Weifeng Ding,
Xiaoming Chen,
Hang Chen,
Ying Feng

Affiliations

Xian Li: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Xin Zhang: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Chenjing Ma: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Long Sun: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Zhao He: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Jin Gan: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Weifeng Ding: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Xiaoming Chen: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Hang Chen: Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China
Ying Feng: Corresponding author.; Key Laboratory of Breeding and Utilization of Resource Insects, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Institute of Highland Forest Science, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Kunming 650224, Yunnan, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 110
p. 105824

Abstract

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Insect wax is a traditional Chinese medicine, which can be converted into policosanol through a reduction reaction. The efficacy of policosanol from insect wax (PIW) depends on its purity and composition ratio. Plant-derived policosanol has a hypolipidemic effect, however, the effects of PIW on serum lipid levels have not yet been clarified. In this study, we investigated the effects of orally administered PIW on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet. We found that PIW administration reduced the serum lipid levels of rats fed a high-fat diet, ameliorated body weight gain, and alleviated liver fat accumulation. This effect could be associated with the upregulation of fatty acid breakdown- and lipid metabolism–related genes, Pparα and Pparβ/δ, downregulation of fatty acid absorption and storage-related genes, Srebp1c, Il6, and Tnfα, and an antioxidant effect. These findings suggest the potential utility of PIW for developing functional foods with lipid-lowering capabilities.

Published in Journal of Functional Foods

ISSN: 1756-4646 (Print); 2214-9414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Home economics: Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-functional-foods

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