To investigate the ameliorating effects of konjac mannan oligosaccharides (KMOS) on lipid metabolism disorder in mice with hyperlipidemia and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

KMOS were administered to hyperlipidemic mice for 12 weeks. Changes in body mass and serum lipids, as well as pathological changes in liver and adipose tissues were observed, and the mRNA and protein expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the signaling pathway of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in the liver were detected.

Compared with the high-fat diet group, KMOS at 1200 mg/kg reduced body mass gain by 26.8%, lowered serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by 34.5%, 22.4% and 51.8%, respectively, increased HDL-C levels by 29.3%. Moreover, KMOS improved the histological morphology of liver and epididymal adipose tissue, activated the AMPK/SREBP1/PPARα signaling pathway, and consequently increased lipid metabolism in the liver.

KMOS has the potential of being a functional food ingredient with hyperlipidemic activity.