Anti-obesity activity of siphonaxanthin, a unique carotenoid in green algae, and its mechanism.

管黄质是一种在管藻类绿藻中发现的特殊类胡萝卜素，其生物功能特性尚待研究。在这方面，我们重点阐述了管黄质的减肥作用。西黄质对3T3-L1前脂肪细胞的分化有抑制作用。此外，唾液黄质还降低了成脂基因的mRNA表达。在以KK-Ay小鼠为肥胖模型的动物研究中，口服管黄质可减少腹部白色脂肪组织。在这种情况下，在用管黄质处理的小鼠中，生脂基因的mRNA表达受到抑制，而脂解基因的表达增加。这些发现表明管黄质可能作为一种营养食品具有潜在的应用价值。

Siphonaxanthin is a specific carotenoid found in siphonaceous green algae and its bio-functional properties are yet to be studied. In this regard, we focused on elucidating the anti-obesity effect of siphonaxanthin. Siphonaxanthin potently inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In addition, mRNA expression of adipogenic genes was decreased by the treatment with siphonaxanthin. In the animal study using KK-Ay mice as obesity model, abdominal white adipose tissue was decreased by oral administration of siphonaxanthin. In this case, mRNA expression of lipogenic genes was suppressed and lipolytic genes were increased in siphonaxanthin-treated mice.These findings suggest that siphonaxanthin could be potentially useful as a nutraceutical.