Mechanism of Visceral Fat Reduction in Tsumura Suzuki Obese, Diabetes (TSOD) Mice Orally Administered β-Cryptoxanthin from Satsuma Mandarin Oranges (Citrus unshiu Marc)

The carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin (beta-CRX) is abundant in Satsuma mandarins (Citrus unshiu Marc). Several studies have shown a relationship between Satsuma mandarin consumption and a low risk of several diseases, for example, diabetes, gout, and hypertension, suggesting beta-CRX involvement in disease prevention. We investigated the effect of beta-CRX on mildly obese males. beta-CRX administration reduced visceral adipose tissue, body weight, and abdominal circumference. However, the detailed mechanism by which beta-CRX mediates these changes remains unknown. To identify this mechanism, we used an obese model mouse (TSOD). Oral beta-CRX administration repressed body weight, abdominal adipose tissue weight, and serum lipid concentrations in TSOD; these results are identical to previous human trial results. beta-CRX administration significantly repressed adipocyte hypertrophy. Gene expression analysis strongly indicated that beta-CRX can alter cytokine secretion and cell proliferation. These results suggest that beta-CRX derived from Satsuma mandarins can help prevent obesity by repressing hypertrophy of abdominal adipocytes.