J Nutr Health.  2024 Feb;57(1):27-42. 10.4163/jnh.2024.57.1.27.

The effects of Syzygium aromaticum L. administration on lipid and muscle metabolism in obese rats subjected to moderate-intensity exercise

• Kim MJ
• Roh SS
• Seo SW
• Kim K
• Shin MR

• KMID: 2553703
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2024.57.1.27

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined whether regular moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (Ex) and Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) administration can influence lipid and muscle metabolism in obese rats induced by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD).
Methods
Rats, except those in the Normal group, were exposed to a 60% HFD for 4 weeks to induce obesity. The obese rats were assigned randomly to three groups: HFD control group, HFD+Ex group, and HFD+Ex+SA group. Treadmill exercise was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks, with a 5° incline and a speed of 18 m/min (Week 1: 20 minutes; Weeks 2: 25 minutes; Weeks 3–4: 30 minutes). Serum analysis was performed. Western blot analysis was conducted on the liver and soleus muscle, and histopathological analysis was carried out on the liver and adipose tissues.
Results
The body weight change in the Ex groups was significantly lower than in the HFD control group, while the soleus muscle weight in the HFD+Ex group increased significantly. The histopathological examination in the Ex groups revealed a marked reduction in liver lipid accumulation and a decrease in adipocyte size in adipose tissue. Obesity induction increased leptin levels substantially, but Ex notably reversed these changes. Ex resulted in significant inhibition of ROS and ONOO⁻ , whereas the serum inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, and total cholesterol were reduced only by SA administration. Furthermore, the inflammatory proteins in the liver were inhibited more effectively when Ex was supplemented with SA. The expression of the muscle synthesis-related proteins and degradation proteins were modulated by Ex and Ex+SA.
Conclusion
Ex significantly affected lipid and muscle metabolism, and adding SA alleviated the inflammation.

Keyword

obesity; exercise; Syzygium aromaticum; lipid metabolism