In the present study, we investigated the biochemical alterations and gene expression of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism after oral administration of vitamin A and E for 2 months in diet-induced obese Wistar rats. Vitamin A and E administration reduced signif- icantly the increase in body weight and food intake and normalized the alterations in lipid profiles in ob- ese rats compared to normal rats. Moreover, both vi- tamins decreased the fat accumulation in liver tissues of obese rats. Finally, they up-regulated mRNA ex- pression of Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and Glucose Trans- porter-2 (GLUT-2), and increased lipolysis and cho- lesterol metabolism through up-regulation of lipopro- tein lipase (LPL), Sterol Responsible Element Binding Protein-1a (STREBP-1a) and STREBP-1c mRNA ex- pression. In conclusion, vitamin A and E regulate gene expression of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and also ameliorate changes associated with obesity in-duced by high fat diet in Wistar rats. |