(P15-008-24) Anti-hyperlipidemia and Anti-hepatic Steatosis of Garlic Scape Extract in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Objectives: Obesity causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia. Garlic scape (Allium sativum L) is a byproduct produced during garlic cultivation, which contains various phytochemicals. Previously, we found garlic scape extract (GSE) inhibited adipogenesis and differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, which may have an anti-obesity effect. The purpose of this study is to examine the anti-obesity effect of GSE using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.

Methods: C57BL/6 male mice were fed either a low-fat diet (LFD) or HFD with or without 1 % GSE. White adipose tissue (WAT), liver, blood, and faces were collected. Total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TAG) levels were measured in the liver, plasma, and faces. Genes related to lipid metabolism, cholesterol uptake, and bile acid synthesis were analyzed. The statistical analysis was done by using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test of significance at P < 0.05.

Results: GSE did not change body weight in HFD-fed mice. Consistent with reduced epidydimal (E)WAT weight together with reduced macrophage infiltration and the size of adipocytes, adipogenic and lipogenic genes, proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid synthase (Fas), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (Acc) and sterol-regulated element binding protein 1c (Srebp1c) and lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation genes, hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (Cpt1a) were downregulated and upregulated, respectively in different types of WAT including EWAT. Liver weight and hepatic TAG and TC levels were reduced by GSE, evidenced by decreased amount of lipids in the liver histology and by decreased Fas, Acc, Srebp1c, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes, and increased Cpt1a gene. The hepatic TC reduction was further supported by decreased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and increased cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, respectively. GSE increased fecal TAG and TC levels in LFD- and HFD-fed mice.

Conclusions: GSE reduced abnormal lipid accumulation in both WAT and liver by decreasing lipogenesis, increasing fatty acid oxidation, and regulating cholesterol metabolism, with reducing intestinal lipid absorption. Taken together, consuming garlic scape may attenuate NAFLD and hyperlipidemia.

Funding Sources: This study was supported by USDA.