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 linol eic 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 CL A groups than in the control group, and significant differences were detect ed 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 lowe r 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 gr oups. 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 hi gher 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 suggeste d to suppress the body fat accumulation and increase the energy metabolism.