Resveratrol and caffeic acid attenuate diet-induced obesity by inhibiting the SREBP-1/ACLY lipogenic axis in adipose tissue of rats.

Obesity is a health problem with an economic burden. This study examined the anti-obesogenic impact of caffeic acid (Caf) or resveratrol (Res) and their effect on lipogenic enzymes. Wister albino rats received high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks then were randomly allocated into three groups and treated orally with either drug vehicle, Caf (50 mg/kg/day) or Res (120 mg/kg/day) for further 6 weeks. Rats in control group received normal chow diet for 22 weeks. Treatment of obese rats with either Caf or Res attenuated body weight gain and fat pad mass, and improved hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Both drugs promoted adiponectin expression, while decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in white adipose tissue (WAT) of obese rats. Res down-regulated the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) mRNA and protein levels of ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), to a greater extent than Caf. Conversely, both drugs promoted adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)-mediated lipolysis in obese rats and the effect of Res was superior to that of Caf. These findings suggest that Caf and Res have certain regulatory effects regarding obesity-related metabolic disorders, more likely through modulating lipogenesis and lipolysis-related proteins.