This study was investigate the effect of grape seed water extract (GSW) on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high•fat diet•induced obese mice. Three groups of male C57BL/6 mice were fed different diets for 6 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high•fat diet (HF control; 37% calorie from fat) and high•fat diet supplemented with GSW (HF•GSW; 1% wt/wt). Supplementation of GSW did not affect the body weight, food intake, daily energy intake, white adipose tissue weights and plasma leptin level in high•fat fed mice. Plasma and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents were significantly higher in the HF control group than in the Normal group; however, GSW supplement significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and hepatic cholesterol concentrations compared to the HF control group. GSW supplement significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride in high•fat fed mice. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity was significantly higher in the HF•GSW group than in the HF control group, while fatty acid β•oxidation tended to be lowered by GSW supplement. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was also significantly higher in the HF•GSW group than in the HF control group and glutathione peroxidase activity tended to be lowered in HF•GSW group. The GSW supplement significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the HF control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that GSW can be considered as a lipid•lowering agent and as being effective for enhancing erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high•fat diet•induced obese mice.

This study investigated the effect of young Phragmites communis (Pc) leaves on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice. Three groups of mice were fed different diets for 8 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high-fat diet (High-fat; 37% calories from fat) and high-fat diet supplemented with 1% Pc (wt/wt, HF-Pc). Body weight, daily food intake and energy intake tended to decrease by Pc supplement in high-fat fed mice. Pc supplementation significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations compared to the high-fat control group. Pc also lowered hepatic and heart cholesterol contents, whereas it significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride and cholesterol compared to the high-fat control group. Pc significantly inhibited fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities compared to the high-fat control group. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also significantly higher in the high-fat group than in the normal group, however Pc supplementation reversed these changes. The Pc supplementation significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the high-fat control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that Pc improves lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice.