Effects of dietary apple polyphenol on adipose tissues weights in Wistar rats.

In this study, we investigated whether dietary apple polyphenol (APP) had an effect on adipose weights.Twenty-four Wistar male rats (10 weeks of age) were assigned to three groups: (1) the 5%APP group (diet containing 5% APP, N=8); (2) the 0.5%APP group (diet containing 0.5% APP, N=8); and (3) the control group (N=8) so that average weights of the groups were the same. After a three-week experimental period, adipose tissue weights were measured. Pathological and plasma characteristics were also examined. Retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissue weights in the 5%APP group were significantly lower than those of the control (P<0.05). Pathological examination showed that form-like cells were observed only in the control group, suggesting the existence of proliferating pre-adipocytes only in the control group. Lipid-related plasma profiles showed no statistical differences. Dietary polyphenol did not induce any anorectic effects as reported in studies concerning tea polyphenol. We conclude that dietary APP has an anti-adipogenic effect in Wistar rats without any anorectic phenomenon.