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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #272127
Title: Effects of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose on glucose tolerance and obesity

Author
item YOUNG, SCOTT - Dow Chemical Company
item HUNG, SHAO-CHING - Dow Chemical Company
item ANDERSON, W.H. KERR - Dow Chemical Company
item ALBERS, DAVID - Dow Chemical Company
item LANGHORST, MARSHA - Dow Chemical Company
item WILLIAMS, DAVID - Dow Chemical Company
item Yokoyama, Wallace - Wally

Submitted to: Journal of Diabetes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2011
Publication Date: 4/5/2012
Citation: Young, S.A., Hung, S., Anderson, W., Albers, D., Langhorst, M., Williams, D., Yokoyama, W.H. 2012. Effects of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose on glucose tolerance and obesity. Journal of Diabetes. 4(1):85-94. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-0407.2011.00157.x.

Interpretive Summary: A cellulose polymer modified with positively charged groups was shown to reduce weight gain in hamster and mice on diets that induce obesity. Liver and adipose weights and plasma lipids were also favorably modified by cationic polymer supplementation. Some effects are similar to cholestyramine, a polymer used to treat hypercholesterolemia.

Technical Abstract: Cholestyramine is a cationic polymer prescribed to lower cholesterol in humans. We investigated the effects of cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cHEC) on weight loss and metabolic disorders associated with obesity using both hamster and diet-induced obese mouse models. Golden Syrian hamsters and obese male C57BL/6J mice were supplemented with cHEC in high-fat diets for four and five weeks, respectively. cHEC supplementation in a high-fat diet lead to significant weight gain reduction in hamsters and weight loss in obese mice. In addition, significant decreases in mesenteric adipose, liver weights, concentrations of plasma cholesterol, and hepatic lipids were shown. In mice, at 4% cHEC a significant improvement in glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, leptin and adiponectin concentrations were observed. Expression of CYP7A1, CYP51, LDLR and SCD1 were significantly changed in the liver of supplemented cHEC hamsters. Moreover, increases in fecal secretion of total bile acids, sterols, and fats indicated altered fat absorption when cHEC is supplemented in the diet for mice but not for hamsters.