Reports of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology
Sat, Feb 7, 2026
[Archive]
Vol.14 No.2 Jul
Back to the articles list |
Back to browse issues page
Motahareh Hasani * 
, Elham Ahmadi , Vahid Monfared , Maryam Khazdouz , Javad Heshmati , Farhad Vahid , Mohammadreza Vafa , Ali Jafari
, Elham Ahmadi , Vahid Monfared , Maryam Khazdouz , Javad Heshmati , Farhad Vahid , Mohammadreza Vafa , Ali Jafari
Department of Nutrition, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Abstract: (7 Views)
Background: We investigated the effects of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) (co)-supplementation (individually and in combination) on the browning process of white (WAT) to brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Method: We randomly allocated obese male Wistar rats (n= 40) into five groups that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The control group received only HFD. The intervention groups were as follows: 1) Zn administered zinc sulfate; 2) Se administered sodium selenate; 3) Se+Zn administered combination; 4) CRD placed on a calorie restriction diet. After eight weeks of intervention, the expression of selected genes, UCP-1, PGC-1α, PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, PRDM16, and were assessed. Histological assessment of adipose and the liver tissues was also conducted using the H&E stain method.
Results: The findings revealed that, expression of UCP-1 was significantly increased in the Zn , Se , and Se+Zn groups in both WAT and BAT. It was highest in the HFD + Zn + Se (P< 0.001, P= 0.029) group. In addition, there was a decrease in UCP-1 gene expression in the CRD group, however, it was not statistically significant. Further, the expression of PPAR-γ and ZAG gene was significantly enhanced in the HFD + Zn (P< 0.001, P= 0.029) and HFD + Zn + Se (P< 0.001, P= 0.007) groups, rather no significant difference was found in the HFD + Se (P> 0.05) group. Furthermore, morphological changes in tissues were consistent with the outcomes of molecular experiments.
Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that Zn and Se supplementation, particularly when combined, may effectively enhance WAT browning and thermogenesis. This could provide a promising avenue for addressing obesity through novel therapeutic strategies.
Method: We randomly allocated obese male Wistar rats (n= 40) into five groups that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The control group received only HFD. The intervention groups were as follows: 1) Zn administered zinc sulfate; 2) Se administered sodium selenate; 3) Se+Zn administered combination; 4) CRD placed on a calorie restriction diet. After eight weeks of intervention, the expression of selected genes, UCP-1, PGC-1α, PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, PRDM16, and were assessed. Histological assessment of adipose and the liver tissues was also conducted using the H&E stain method.
Results: The findings revealed that, expression of UCP-1 was significantly increased in the Zn , Se , and Se+Zn groups in both WAT and BAT. It was highest in the HFD + Zn + Se (P< 0.001, P= 0.029) group. In addition, there was a decrease in UCP-1 gene expression in the CRD group, however, it was not statistically significant. Further, the expression of PPAR-γ and ZAG gene was significantly enhanced in the HFD + Zn (P< 0.001, P= 0.029) and HFD + Zn + Se (P< 0.001, P= 0.007) groups, rather no significant difference was found in the HFD + Se (P> 0.05) group. Furthermore, morphological changes in tissues were consistent with the outcomes of molecular experiments.
Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that Zn and Se supplementation, particularly when combined, may effectively enhance WAT browning and thermogenesis. This could provide a promising avenue for addressing obesity through novel therapeutic strategies.
Type of Article: Original Article |
Subject:
Molecular Biology
Received: 2024/05/25 | Accepted: 2024/07/14
Received: 2024/05/25 | Accepted: 2024/07/14
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
