Anti-obesity effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles mediated through modulation of hepatic lipolysis and mitochondrial biogenesis.

BACKGROUND

Obesity linked to a variety of chronic diseases poses a significant hazard to global health, with consequences for patients in a variety of organ systems. Because superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are strong factors having glucose and lipid-lowering effects, this study aimed to examine the possible anti-obesity and anti-steatotic effects of SPIONs by targeting genes involved in lipid and mitochondrial biogenesis regulation in hepatic tissues of an experimental model of obesity.

METHODS

The study was carried out on 72 young male albino rats, divided into 2 groups: the healthy group and the obese group. The obese group was further divided into 8 groups: (a) untreated obese group; (b) orlistat treated group; (c) SPION-550-Dose 22 treated group; (d) SPION-550-Dose 44 treated group; (e) SPION-550-Dose 22-orlistat treated group; (f) SPION-2000-Dose 22 treated group; (g) SPION-2000-Dose 44 treated group; (h) SPION-2000-Dose 22-orlistat treated group.

RESULTS

SPIONs have anti-obesity effects through multiple correlated mechanisms, including reduction of FBS, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, MDA content, and ameliorating activities of both liver enzymes. Also, there was an increase in GSH content, a downregulation of SREBP-1c, and upregulation of PGC-1α, NRF1, and NRF2 expressions. Furthermore, a significant rise in mtDNA copy number in hepatictissues was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-obesity effects of SPIONs may be mediated by inducing many pathways such as insulin-sensitizing, lipotropic, antioxidant, anti-lipogenic, and mitochondrial biogenesis. More importantly, the adjuvant treatment with orlistat may potentiate the effects of SPION and neglect the use of high SPION doses.