META060 protects against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in a high-fat-diet fed mouse

Objective: We investigated whether a reduced iso-alpha acid derived from an extract of Humulus lupulus L., META060, had an effect on weight gain, body composition, and metabolism in a high-fat-diet (HFD) fed mouse model. Methods: Weight gain was monitored for up to 20 wk in mice receiving a low-fat diet, an HFD, or an HFD supplemented with META060 or rosiglitazone. Body composition was determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometric analysis. Indirect calorimetric measurements were performed to investigate the energy balance in the mice, and oral glucose tolerance tests were administered to examine the effect of META060 on the glycemic response. Results: The HFD-fed mice administered META060 for 14 wk had a significantly lower mean weight than HFD-fed mice (30.58 +/- 0.5 versus 37.88 +/- 0.7 g, P < 0.05). Indirect calorimetric measurements showed an increased metabolic flexibility in mice supplemented with META060. In addition, glucose tolerance was improved, comparable to the effects of rosiglitazone treatment. Conclusions: META060 has potential therapeutic value for managing obesity and insulin resistance, and further research into the mechanism of action is warranted. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.