Feruloylacetone and Its Analog Demethoxyferuloylacetone Mitigate Obesity-Related Muscle Atrophy and Insulin Resistance in Mice

Obesity-induced muscle alterations, such as inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and myosteatosis, lead to a decline in muscle mass and function, often resulting in sarcopenic obesity. Currently, there are no definitive treatments for sarcopenic obesity beyond lifestyle changes and dietary supplementation. Feruloylacetone (FER), a thermal degradation product of curcumin, and its analog demethoxyferuloylacetone (DFER), derived from the thermal degradation of bisdemethoxycurcumin, have shown potential antiobesity effects in previous studies. This study investigates the impact of FER and DFER on obesity-related glucose intolerance and muscle atrophy. High-fat diet (HFD) feeding resulted in muscle mass reduction and increased intramuscular triglyceride accumulation, both of which were mitigated by FER and DFER supplementation. The supplements activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, enhanced muscle protein synthesis, and decreased markers of muscle protein degradation. Additionally, FER and DFER supplementation improved glucose homeostasis in HFD-fed mice. The supplements also promoted the formation of a gut microbial consortium comprising Blautia intestinalis, Dubosiella newyorkensis, Faecalicatena fissicatena, Waltera intestinalis, Clostridium viride, and Caproiciproducens galactitolivorans, which contributed to the reduction of obesity-induced chronic inflammation. These findings suggest, for the first time, that FER and DFER may prevent obesity-related complications, including muscle atrophy and insulin resistance, thereby warranting further research into their long-term efficacy and safety.