Effects of -Fermented Milk on Obesity: Improved Lipid Metabolism through Suppression of Lipogenesis and Enhanced Muscle Metabolism.

Obesity is a major global health concern. Studies suggest that the gut microflora may play a role in protecting against obesity. Probiotics, including lactic acid bacteria and , have garnered attention for their potential in obesity prevention.

Taurine Stimulates AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Modulates the Skeletal Muscle Functions in Rats via the Induction of Intracellular Calcium Influx.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a free amino acid abundantly found in mammalian tissues. Taurine plays a role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle functions and is associated with exercise capacity. However, the mechanism underlying taurine function in skeletal muscles has not yet been elucidated.

Effect of Long-Term Supplementation with Acetic Acid on the Skeletal Muscle of Aging Sprague Dawley Rats.

Mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle, which plays an essential role in oxidative capacity and physical activity, declines with aging. Acetic acid activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a key role in the regulation of whole-body energy by phosphorylating key metabolic enzymes in both biosynthetic and oxidative pathways and stimulates gene expression associated with slow-twitch fibers and mitochondria in skeletal muscle cells. In this study, we investigate whether long-term supplementation with acetic acid improves age-related changes in the skeletal muscle of aging rats in association with the activation of AMPK.

Effects of long-term taurine supplementation on age-related changes in skeletal muscle function of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a free amino acid found abundantly in mammalian tissues. Increasing evidence suggests that taurine plays a role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle function and increase of exercise capacity. Most energy drinks contain this amino acid; however, there is insufficient research on the effects of long-term, low-dose supplementation of taurine.

Acetic acid stimulates G-protein-coupled receptor GPR43 and induces intracellular calcium influx in L6 myotube cells.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced endogenously in the gut by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber have been studied as nutrients that act as signaling molecules to activate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) such as GPR41 and GPR43. GPR43 functioning involves the suppression of lipid accumulation and maintaining body energy homeostasis, and is activated by acetic acid or propionic acid. Previously, we reported that the orally administered acetic acid improves lipid metabolism in liver and skeletal muscles and suppresses obesity, thus improving glucose tolerance.

Molecular cloning of rat acss3 and characterization of mammalian propionyl-CoA synthetase in the liver mitochondrial matrix.

Among the three acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family members (ACSS), ACSS3 is poorly characterized. To characterize ACSS3, we performed molecular cloning and protein expression of rat acss3 and determined its intracellular localization, tissue distribution, and substrate specificity. Transient expression of rat ACSS3 in HeLa cells resulted in a 10-fold increase of acetyl-CoA synthetase activity compared with that in control cells.

Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Stimulation of Energy Metabolism by Acetic Acid in L6 Myotube Cells.

Previously, we found that orally administered acetic acid decreased lipogenesis in the liver and suppressed lipid accumulation in adipose tissue of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, which exhibit hyperglycemic obesity with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Administered acetic acid led to increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in both liver and skeletal muscle cells, and increased transcripts of myoglobin and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) genes in skeletal muscle of the rats. It was suggested that acetic acid improved the lipid metabolism in skeletal muscles.

Effects of acetate on lipid metabolism in muscles and adipose tissues of type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats.

We have reported that orally administrated acetate contributed to suppression of lipogenesis in the liver and to reduction of lipid accumulation in the adipose tissue of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acetate on skeletal muscle and adipose tissues. Treatment with acetate showed a higher rate of oxygen consumption and a smaller size of lipid droplets in white adipose and brown adipose tissues.