Antiobesity effect of L-arabinose via ameliorating insulin resistance and modulating gut microbiota in obese mice

Objectives: The global prevalence of obesity, a chronically trophic metabolic disease, has garnered significant attention. The aim of this study was to investigate L-arabinose, a unique functional sugar that improves insu-lin resistance and intestinal environment while promoting probiotic proliferation, for its potential in pre -venting obesity induced by a high-fat and high-sugar (HFHS) diet in mice. Methods: The L-arabinose group was intragastrically administered with 0.4 mL 60 mg/(kg body weight) L-arabinose for 8 wk. The metformin group was intragastrically administered at 0.4 mL 300 mg/(kg body weight), as a positive control group.Results: Treatment with L-arabinose resulted in a reduction of various obesity symptoms, such as prevented weight gain, increased liver-to-body ratio, decreased insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resis-tance (HOMA-IR) index, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, as well as improved insulin resistance, reduced fat volume, inhibited hepatic steatosis, and repaired the pancreas. The L-arabinose treatment also improved lipid metabolism and intlammatory response, decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio at the phylum level, and increased the relative abundance of Parabacteroides gordonii and Akkermansia muciniphila at the species level.Conclusion: Based on these results, L-arabinose could be a promising candidate for combating obesity and obesity-related diseases by regulating insulin resistance and gut microbiota.& COPY; 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

This study investigated the potential of L-arabinose, a functional sugar that improves insulin resistance and gut microbiota, in preventing obesity induced by a high-fat and high-sugar diet. The results showed that L-arabinose can alleviate obesity symptoms, improve insulin resistance, regulate lipid metabolism and inflammatory response, and modulate gut microbiota. Therefore, L-arabinose could be a promising candidate for combating obesity and obesity-related diseases.