Pu-erh tea increases the metabolite Cinnabarinic acid to improve circadian rhythm disorder-induced obesity

Hu S, Hu C, Luo L, Zhang H, Zhao S, Liu Z, Zeng L · Food Chemistry · 2022 November

DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133500

Objective

To investigate the effect of Pu-erh tea on CRD-induced obesity and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Conclusions

Pu-erh tea improves obesity in CRD-induced mice through the production of Cinnabarinic acid (CA), which promotes adipose tissue lipolysis, thermogenic response, and increases adipocyte sensitivity to hormones and neurotransmitters.

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Insights

Pu-erh tea, through the increase of Cinnabarinic acid, can improve obesity induced by circadian rhythm disorders by enhancing fat metabolism and altering gut microbes.

In this study, a CRD-induced obesity model in mice was developed and Pu-erh tea was used as an intervention. The effect of Pu-erh tea on obesity was observed and determined to come from its production of Cinnabarinic acid (CA). CA was found to promote adipose tissue lipolysis and heat generation response, increasing the sensitivity of fat cells to hormones and neurotransmitters. This was accomplished by targeting the expression of specific receptor proteins in adipose tissue. These processes improved mitochondrial activity in the fat cells and expedited metabolic processes in the adipose tissue, thereby speeding up glucose and fat metabolism. In the final stage of the study, CA was found to make changes in the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids which further helped to improve the lipid accumulation mediated by CRD. The researchers concluded that the increase in CA, caused by drinking Pu-erh tea and reaching the fat tissue through blood circulation, could be a crucial mechanism to reduce obesity induced by circadian rhythm disorders.