부산대학교 도서관

Metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease, are dramatically increasing around theworld. Seaweed is low in calories and rich in many active ingredients that are necessary for maintaining good health, and isexpected to be effective for preventing metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a traditionalJapanese edible seaweed Hypnea asiatica (H. asiatica) on obesity, using a mouse model. H. asiatica was dried andpowdered, mixed with a high-fat diet, and fed to male C57BL/6J mice for 13 weeks. On the last day of the experiment, bloodsamples were collected under anesthesia and biochemical parameters such as lipids and adipokines were measured. Liver andadipose tissue were excised, weighed, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured. Some mice were perfused with afixative solution containing formalin, and tissue specimens were prepared. A glucose tolerance test was used to assess insulinresistance. The inhibition of lipase activity was evaluated in vitro. Thirteen-week supplementation with H. asiatica suppressedbody weight gain, body fat accumulation, and blood glucose levels. H. asiatica also improved fatty liver and hypercholesterolemia,and reduced the oxidant and inflammatory parameters of serum and liver. H. asiatica increased fecal triglycerideexcretion and polyphenol-rich ethanol extract of H. asiatica inhibited lipase activity in vitro. These results suggest thatpolysaccharides and polyphenols in H. asiatica may ameliorate obesity and diabetes by inhibiting intestinal fat absorption andreducing oxidative stress and inflammation. H. asiatica may be useful in preventing metabolic diseases such as obesity,diabetes, and fatty liver.