Increased energy metabolism and suppressed body fat accumulation in mice by a low concentration of conjugated linoleic acid.

We investigated the dose-effect of the long-term intake of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the energy metabolism and fat accumulation in mice. Five-week-old male Std ddY mice were fed on a diet containing none (control), 0.25%, 0.5% or 1.0% CLA for 4 or 8 weeks. The body weight was lower in the CLA groups than in the control group, and significant differences were detected between the 1.0% CLA group and the control group at both 4 and 8 weeks. The epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the CLA groups than in the control group. The liver weight and hepatic triglyceride values were higher in the 1.0% CLA group than in the other groups. The metabolic rate was measured after 8 weeks by using a gas analyzer. The oxygen consumption of the mice in the CLA groups was significantly higher than that of the control mice. Since there was a significant effect on the mice supplemented with 0.25% CLA, low concentration of CLA is suggested to suppress the body fat accumulation and increase the energy metabolism.