Hepatic fatty acid biosynthesis in KK-A y mice is modulated by administration of persimmon peel extract: A DNA microarray study.

Scope: Previously, we showed that the intake of a persimmon peel (PP) extract altered hepatic gene expression associated with the insulin signaling pathway and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptors in nonobese type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of fat-soluble PP extract on obese type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice with insulin resistance.

Methods and results: KK-Ay mice were fed a diet mixed with 0.1% of the extract for 8 weeks. The total ketone body levels in the plasma of PP extract-fed mice were significantly lower than those in the normal diet-fed mice. Hepatic nonesterified palmitic acid content was higher in the PP extract-fed mice than in normal diet-fed mice. The hepatic gene expression profiles of the treated mice indicated upregulation of fatty acid synthesis and downregulation of inflammation-associated genes, predicting SREBP-1c and PPARγ activation.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the PP extract enhances hepatic fatty acid synthesis via SREBP-1c and PPARγ, as well as anti-inflammatory activity in KK-Ay mice.