5-Caffeoylquinic acid decreases diet-induced obesity in rats by modulating PPAR and LXR transcription

BackgroundChlorogenic acids (CGAs) are widely distributed in plant material, including foods and beverages. 5-Caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) is the most studied CGA, but the mechanism of its hypolipidaemic effect remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of 5-CQA on lipid metabolism in the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Results5-CQA suppressed HFD-induced increases in body weight and visceral fat-pad weight, serum lipid levels, and serum and hepatic free fatty acids in a dose-dependent manner. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that 5-CQA altered the mRNA expression of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and liver X receptor (LXR) and target genes involved in hepatic fatty acid uptake, -oxidation, fatty acid synthesis, and cholesterol synthesis. Moreover, hepatic tissue sections from HFD-fed rats showed many empty vacuoles, suggesting that liver cells were filled with more fat droplets. However, 5-CQA significantly ameliorated this effect. Conclusion5-CQA may improve lipid metabolism disorders by altering the expression of PPAR and LXR, which are involved in multiple intracellular signalling pathways. (c) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry