Previous study showed that mealworm fermentation extract (TMP) ameliorated obesity-induced hepatosteatogenesis and proteomic changes in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice compared to soy protein (SP). In this study, we investigated the effect of the SP and ...
Previous study showed that mealworm fermentation extract (TMP) ameliorated obesity-induced hepatosteatogenesis and proteomic changes in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice compared to soy protein (SP). In this study, we investigated the effect of the SP and TMP mixing ratio on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice fed a HFD for 12 weeks. Male C57BL/6N mice were fed HFD supplemented with 20% SP (control group) or three kinds of mixing ratio of SP and TMP (4:1, 3:2, 2:3; S4T1, S3T2, S2T3) as protein source. In comparison with the control group, body weight and food intake were significantly reduced in the S2T3 group, while the size of adipose tissue cells was decreased in all of the TMP mixed groups. Serum insulin, leptin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance tended to be lower in the S2T3 group compared to the control group. The S2T3 group decreased hepatic lipid droplets compared to the control group, which was mediated by down-regulation of lipid metabolism-related gene expression (PPARγ, ChREBP, CD36, FAS, SCD1, and DGAT2). In conclusion, SP and TMP mixing ratio of 2:3 had an excellent effect on improving lipid metabolism in the liver tissue of HFD-induced obese mice.