Eicosapentaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids suppressed lipid accumulation by specific inhibition of lipid droplet-associated protein FSP27 in mice

J Sci Food Agric. 2020 Mar 30;100(5):2244-2251. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.10250. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Abstract

Background: Sea cucumber is a rich source of eicosapentaenoic acid in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids (EPA-PL). It is known to be efficacious in preventing obesity. However, few studies have focused on the role of EPA-PL in inhibiting lipid accumulation by lipid droplets (LDs). This study first investigated the effect of EPA-PL from sea cucumber on the formation of LDs and the underlying mechanism in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into two groups and treated for 8 weeks or 3, 7, and 14 days with either (i) a high-sucrose diet (model group), (ii) a high-sucrose diet plus 2% EPA-PL (EPA-PL group).

Results: Eight-week EPA-PL supplementation significantly reduced lipid accumulation and LD size in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT), which was accompanied by the decreased expression of LDs-associated protein FSP27. A 3-day EPA-PL treatment suppressed the mRNA expression of Fsp27. The mRNA level of Fsp27 reached its 'normal level' after withdrawing EPA-PL for 7 days, suggesting that EPA-PL might serve as a rapid regulator of FSP27. Furthermore, EPA-PL increased the expression of lipolysis genes Hsl and Atgl accompanied by the regulation of Pparγ in WAT.

Conclusions: Dietary EPA-PL from sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) protected against lipid accumulation by regulating LDs-associated protein FSP27, which might provide novel evidence for the anti-obesity action of EPA-PL. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Keywords: EPA-PL; FSP27; lipid accumulation; lipid droplet; sea cucumber.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / blood
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Lipid Droplets / drug effects
  • Lipid Droplets / metabolism*
  • Lipolysis / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Phospholipids / metabolism*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Nonesterified
  • Phospholipids
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Triglycerides
  • fat-specific protein 27, mouse
  • eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester
  • Cholesterol
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid