Effects of Antrodia cinnamomea Extract on Fat Accumulation and Energy Expenditure

Metabolic syndrome is identified with abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance or insulin resistance and blood pressure elevated. With diet-westernized, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increasing in Taiwan. In this study, we used high-fructose and high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome animal model to investigate the effects of extract of Antrodia camphorate (AE) on metabolic syndrome. 40 Wistar rats were divided into control group, metabolic syndrome group (high-fructose and high-fat diet-induced, HFHF), low dose group (HFHF + AE 6 mg/ kg-BW), medium dose group (HFHF + AE 30 mg/ kg-BW) and high dose group (HFHF + AE 60 mg/ kg-BW), for a 16-week experiment. Results showed that rats in the metabolic syndrome group had significantly increased body weight, abdominal fat accumulation with adipokines imbalanced. Accompany with hepatic steatosis, elevated inflammatory cytokine levels in adipose tissue and liver, insulin resistance and blood pressure raised. Treatment with AE, lowered the weight gain and accumulation of abdominal fat, also improved adipokines imbalanced, reversed hepatic steatosis, decreased inflammatory cytokines levels, ameliorated insulin resistance and prevented blood pressure elevated. In addition, AE may improve lipid abnormal metabolism. And also decreased JNK expression and NF-κB activation possibly through TLR4/MyD88 pathway to modulate the inflammation and insulin resistance. Incorporate with lowered angiotensinogen levels in blood and adipose tissue, may relate to RAS over-activation to affect the blood pressure regulation. In conclusion, AE may retard the progression of metabolic syndrome by reducing the abdominal fat accumulation, improved adipokines imbalanced, decreased hepatic steatosis, ameliorating inflammation and insulin resistance, with blood pressure declined.