Figure 9. Quinone methide is essential to induce weight loss, reduce fat mass, and restore glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance in diet-induced obese C57BL/6N mice.

(A) Images of experimental mice. Diet-induced obese mice were treated with celastrol or analog at the dose of 5.0 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ for 21 days, whereas control mice were fed with normal diet. Experimental mice were imaged at day 21. (B) Measurement of body weight. Body weight was daily measured (n = 8). (C) NMR determination of fat contents. After 21-day treatment, fat contents in living mice were analyzed by Bruker minispec NMR analyzer. (D) Calculation of body lean mass. Lean mass was calculated from NMR determination of body fat mass as described in (C). Body weight was daily measured. (E) Glucose tolerance test (GTT). After glucose injection, blood glucose levels were measured and plotted against time. The area under curve (AUC) for each group was calculated. (F) Insulin tolerance test (ITT). After insulin injection, blood glucose levels were measured and plotted against time. The AUC for each group was calculated. ***p < 0.001; ns, not significant.