Search for phytochemicals that enhance the beneficial effects exercise against obesity and diabetes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17694
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Tsuzuki Takamasa 名城大学, 薬学部, 助教 (20780068)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 運動 / 肥満 / 糖尿病 / インスリン抵抗性 / レドックス制御機構 / フィトケミカル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to identify phytochemicals which is effective for improvements of obesity and diabetes, and to investigate the combined effective of exercise and phytochemical treatment on improving these diseases. We found that 1) several sulfur containing compounds (DADS, AITC, and BITC) among the phytochemicals improved obesity and systemic insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice; 2) these phytochemicals enhanced lipolysis and reduced lipogenesis in the liver; 3) these phytochemicals also mitigated obesity-induced inflammatory signaling in the liver. Furthermore, our research suggests that combination of exercise training and phytochemical treatment may be an effective method for improving in obesity and insulin resistance.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

肥満や糖尿病といった代謝疾患の改善には、運動や食事（栄養）による生活改善が有効であることが明らかにされてきたが、未だ罹患率の減少には至っていない。本研究では、肥満・糖尿病の改善効果を有するフィトケミカルをいくつか見出した。加えて、運動との併用において、肥満の改善に一部相乗効果が認められたことから、代謝疾患の改善を目的とする生活改善プログラムの選択肢を増やすとともに、効果的・効率的な運動プログラムの開発の一助となることが期待される。