Rice Bran Wax Policosanol Ameliorates High-fat-diet-induced Hyperglycaemia and Fatty Liver through the Modulation of Adiponectin and LEPR Genes in Rats

Policosanol is a long-chain alcohols mixture present in animal and plant waxes. It has been shown to have several biological effects such as lipid-lowering, antiplatelet aggregation, and relief of intermittent claudication. Few reports have shown the effect of policosanol on glucose level in different animal models; however, the mechanism is yet to be well understood especially in high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia. We have extracted and characterized rice bran wax policosanol (RBWP) previously. To investigate the effects of Rice Bran Wax Policosanol (RBWP) on high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia and fatty liver, Sprague dawley rats were fed with a high-fat diet containing 2.5% cholesterol and then treated for 8 weeks. The rats were divided into RBWP treated, in comparison with Normal Diet (ND) and High-Fat Diet (HFD) groups. Rats body weight, lipid profile, and plasma glucose were determined. Liver histology and transcriptional regulation of Adiponectin and LEPR genes were also evaluated. The results showed that RBWP significantly (P<0.05) reduced weight gain, improved lipid profile, plasma glucose, fat deposits in the liver; and increased hepatic mRNA expressions of Adiponectin and LEPR compared to HFD. The results suggest that RBWP attenuates high-fat-diet-induced hyperglycaemia and fatty liver through modulating Adiponectin and LEPR genes.