Docosahexaenoic Acid Containing Phosphatidylcholine Alleviates Obesity-Related Disorders in Obese Rats

This chapter presents the effect of DHA-PC on obesity-related disorders in OLETF rats. As diet, especially dietary fat, has been recognized as contributing to the development and prevention of obesity, the influence of quantities and qualities of dietary fats on the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders has been studied. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are abundant in fish, shellfish, and sea mammals. Evidence from animal models and human studies suggests that n-3 PUFAs have lipid-lowering effects. After four weeks of feeding DHA-PC, OLETF rats showed a decrease of abdominal white adipose tissue weights, liver weights, and hepatic triglyceride levels. These changes were attributable to the significant suppression of FAS activity and significant enhancement in the activities of CPT and peroxisomal β-oxidation in DHA-PC-fed OLETF rats. The DHA-PC diet reduced serum glucose levels concomitant with the increase of serum adiponectin levels. These results show that compared with egg-PC, DHA-PC can prevent or alleviate obesity-related disorders through the suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of lipolysis, and increase of adiponectin production in OLETF rats.