Modulation of Lipid Transport and Adipose Tissue Deposition by Small Lipophilic Compounds

Abstract

Small lipophilic molecules present in foods of plant origin have relevant biological activities at rather low concentrations. Evidence suggests that phytosterols, carotenoids, terpenoids, and tocopherols can interact with different metabolic pathways, exerting beneficial effects against a number of metabolic diseases. These small molecules can modulate triacylglycerol absorption in the intestine and the biosynthesis of chylomicrons, the lipid carriers in the blood. Once in the bloodstream, they can impact lipoprotein clearance from blood, thereby affecting fatty acid release, incorporation into adipocytes and triglyceride reassembling and deposit. Consequently, some of these molecules can regulate pathophysiological processes associated to obesity and its related conditions, such as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes. The protective capacity of some lipophilic small molecules on oxidative and chemotoxic stress, can modify the expression of key genes in the adaptive cellular response, such as transcription factors, contributing to prevent the inflammatory status of adipose tissue. These small lipophilic compounds can be incorporated into diet as natural parts of food but they can also be employed to supplement other dietary and pharmacologic products as nutraceuticals, exerting protective effects against the development of metabolic diseases in which inflammation is involved. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the influence of dietary lipophilic small biomolecules (phytosterols, carotenoids, tocopherols, and triterpenes) on lipid transport, as well as on the effects they may have on pathophysiological metabolic states, related to obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation, providing an evidence-based summary of their main beneficial effects on human health.

Oleanolic Acid: Extraction, Characterization and Biological Activity

“…Oleanolic acid is a natural component of many common plant foods (e.g., apples, pears, tomato, grapes, olives, ginger, mango, strawberries and olive oil) as well as culinary and medicinal herbs (e.g., rosemary, oregano, sage, basil, fennel, ginseng and olive leaf) [ 192 , 193 ]; therefore, OA is an integral part of the human diet. OA has been considered as a low-bioavailable biomolecule due to its very low solubility in water [ 78 ], although recent research has demonstrated that OA bioavailability may be highly increased when administered dissolved in lipophilic matrices [ 82 , 83 ].…”

Lipophilic Bioactive Compounds Transported in Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins Modulate Microglial Inflammatory Response

“…Evidence suggests that they can interact with different metabolic pathways, exerting beneficial effects against a number of chronic degenerative pathologies associated with obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, including neurodegenerative diseases. They may modify the expression of key genes in the adaptive cellular response, mitigating oxidative and chemotoxic stresses and inflammation [ 16 ].…”

Sexual dimorphism in obesity is governed by RELMα regulation of adipose macrophages and eosinophils

“…WT males also upregulated genes in terpenoid and isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, such as Aldh1a3, Fdps , and Hmgcs1 that regulate cholesterol synthesis, triacylglycerol absorption and fat deposition. Their association with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome may explain the male propensity to develop these diseases ( 57 ). Examination of RELMα-dependent genes within the SVF led to the discovery of lncRNA Gm47283, which is the most significantly affected gene by RELMα deficiency.…”