Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive adipogenesis and angiogenesis, mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), contribute to the development of obesity-related complications. Diallyl disulfide (DADS), an organosulfur compound derived from garlic, has been reported to exhibit anti-obesity properties, but studies on the expression of MMPs as an anti-obesity effect of DADS are limited. This study investigated the potential role of DADS in regulating weight gain, adipogenesis, and MMP expression in mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were divided into 4 groups: a normal-fat diet (NF), a high-fat diet (HF), a high-fat diet supplemented with 12.5 mg/kg DADS (HFDADS12.5), and a high-fat diet supplemented with 25 mg/kg DADS (HFDADS25) for 14 weeks. This study measured plasma lipid concentrations, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, mRNA expression of transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation in the liver, and the mRNA expression and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in epididymal adipose tissue. The plasma concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were also measured. RESULTS: DADS intake significantly reduced the body weight gain and epididymal adipose tissue weight (P < 0.05). The GPDH activity, mRNA expressions of the transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation, the mRNA expression and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and plasma leptin concentration were significantly higher in the HF group than in the NF group, but they were significantly lower in the DADS intake groups (P < 0.05). The plasma adiponectin concentrations were lower in the HF group than the NF group, but they were significantly higher in the HFDADS25 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DADS suppressed body weight gain and adipogenesis, potentially by inhibiting MMP-2 and MMP-9 in mice fed a high-fat diet.