Oolong tea polysaccharide and polyphenols prevent obesity development in Sprague–Dawley rats

BACKGROUND: Several studies have evaluated the effects of oolong tea extracts on obesity. However, only few studies focused on the anti-obesity effect of specific components of oolong tea. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the specific anti-obesity capabilities of oolong tea polysaccharide (TPS) and tea polyphenols (TPP) in high-fat diet-induced Sprague–Dawley rats. METHODS: Oolong tea water extract, TPS, TPP, and polysaccharide mixed with polyphenol (TPSM) given at doses of 400 or 800 mg/kg were administered to rats fed with high-fat diet for 6 weeks to explore the anti-obesity effects of the treatments. RESULTS: TPS and TPP were responsible for the suppressive effect on body fat accumulation. TPSM exhibited the highest effect on body weight reduction, and TPS and TPP effectively reduced serum leptin levels and significantly improved blood lipid and antioxidant levels. Moreover, microarray analysis of hepatic and adipose gene expression profiles revealed that TPP and TPS inhibited obesity through effects on the pathways of fatty acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation, glycerolipid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: TPSM might be a potential therapy for the treatment of obesity.