Effects of administration of licorice flavonoid supplement on lipid metabolism in obese dogs

Abstract

The efficiency of licorice flavonoid supplement as anti-obesity substance was investigated in 14 client-owned dogs. This flavonoid supplement reduced whole and visceral fat in overweight humans. All experimental dogs were given the supplement at a dose of 10 mg kg-1 day-1 in the evening with food for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks post-administration, the body weight was decreased in 11 animals (78.6%). The decreasing rate was 2.51±0.6% (Mean±SE). Serum glucose (GLU), Triglyceride (TG), Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities were decreased but the changes were not statistically significant. On the contrary, serum adiponectin (ADN) concentrations, though statically significance was not seen, tended to increase after 8 weeks post-administration of the supplement compared to those in baseline. In conclusion, the licorice flavonoid supplement was suggested to show anti-obesity effect accompanied with improvement of lipid metabolism in tissues of dogs.