Effect of Soybean and Soybean Koji on Obesity and Dyslipidemia in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Soybean koji refers to steamed soybeans inoculated with microbial species. Soybean fermentation improves the health benefits of soybeans. Obesity is a serious health concern owing to its increasing incidence rate and high association with other metabolic diseases. Therefore, we investigated the effects of soybean and soybean koji on high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group) as follows: (1) regular diet (RD), (2) high-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + steamed soybean (HFD+SS), and (4) HFD + soybean koji (HFD+SK). SK contained more free amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids than SS. In a rat model of obesity, SK consumption significantly alleviated the increase in weight of white adipose tissue and mRNA expression of lipogenic genes, whereas SS consumption did not. Both SS and SK reduced serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. SS and SK also inhibited lipid accumulation in the liver and white adipose tissue and reduced adipocyte size. Although both SS and SK could alleviate HFD-induced dyslipidemia, SK has better anti-obesity effects than SS by regulating lipogenesis. Overall, SK is an excellent functional food that may prevent obesity.

Supplementation with Natto and Red Yeast Rice Alters Gene Expressions in Cholesterol Metabolism Pathways in ApoE-/- Mice with Concurrent Changes in Gut Microbiota

“…However, in the current study, combined supplementation with NR at a dose of 0.3 g/kg BW/day for 12 weeks did not significantly change fasting plasma concentrations of TC, LDL-C, HDL-C or non-HDL-C. The reason for the discordant results may be attributed, in part, to the lower dose of NR used in the current study in comparison to the doses used in previous studies, including natto ranging from 1.0–2.0 g/kg BW/day [ 33 , 34 , 35 ] and red yeast rice ranging from 0.3–1.0 g/kg BW/day [ 19 , 36 , 37 ]. Of note, on the basis of body surface area, the dose of NR in the current study equaled 1.4 g for an adult with a standard body weight of 50 kg, which was equivalent to the recommended dose of commercially available NR supplements.…”

Lowering n-6/n-3 Ratio as an Important Dietary Intervention to Prevent LPS-Inducible Dyslipidemia and Hepatic Abnormalities in ob/ob Mice

“…Hepatic biological function was determined by measuring serum ALT, AST, ALP using commercial kits (ALT Assay Kit, AST Assay Kit, ALP Assay Kit, Embiel, Gunpo, Korea), and TC, HDL-C, and TG levels were measured with commercial kits (TC Assay Kit, HDL-C Assay Kit, TG Assay Kit, Embiel, Gunpo, Korea) as previously described [ 78 ]. LDL-C levels were calculated by subtracting HDL-C and TG values from the TC levels.…”

Moringa oleiferaLam. as a potential plant for alleviation of the metabolic syndrome—A narrative review based on in vivo and clinical studies

“…One of the most alarming problems associated with MetS is obesity, primarily the deposition of fat around the waist and abdomen region. Surplus energy is stored in the body when the energy intake surpasses the energy expenditure, leading to adipose tissue enlargement, dyslipidemia and fatty liver disease, eventually leading to metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease (Park et al, 2021). Global obesity is a major public health concern, with over a billion people affected, including 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children.…”