We have determined that pterostilbene demonstrates anti-obesity properties. Rats were fed a commercial obesogenic diet supplemented or not with pterostilbene: PT15 (low dose: 15 mg/kg body weight/d) or PT30 (high dose: 30 mg/kg body weight/d) for 6 weeks. Pterostilbene significantly reduced total adipose tissue mass (15.1% in the PT15 group 22.9% in the PT30 group) without changes in food intake. The activities of lipogenic enzymes were reduced in white adipose tissue and liver. Activities of enzymes involved in liver fatty acid oxidation were significantly increased in the PT30 group. Low dose pterostilbene can reduce body fat by reducing lipogenesis in adipose tissue. At the high dose, two mechanisms contribute to reduction in body fat: (1) decrease in adipose tissue and liver lipogenesis, and (2) an increase in liver fatty acid oxidation.
