trans-10,cis-12-Conjugated linoleic acid reduces leptin secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The trans10,cis12 (t10c12) isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to inhibit heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity, reduce lipid stores in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and, when fed to mice, reduce body fat gain. We now report that t10c12 CLA significantly reduced leptin secretion from cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and reduced leptin mRNA levels within the cells. Similar effects were produced by conjugated nonadecadienoic acid (a 19-carbon CLA cognate that is more effective than CLA in reducing body fat gain in mice), the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (which is synergistic with CLA in reducing body fat gain in mice), and ciglitazone (TZD, a PPARgamma agonist). Feeding mice diet supplemented with 0.5% t10c12 CLA for 4 weeks significantly reduced body fat gain, serum leptin levels and adipocyte leptin mRNA expression, without affecting feed intake or body weight. These data provide new insights into apparent mechanistic similarities among t10c12 CLA, CNA, NDGA, and TZD.     

Combined Effects of Dietary Protein Type and Fat Level on the Body Fat-Reducing Activity of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) in Rats

The interaction of dietary protein type and fat level on the body fat-reducing activity of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was studied in male rats fed diets containing casein (CAS) or soy protein (SOY) as a protein source with low fat (LF, 6.0% soybean oil) or high fat (HF, 13.0% soybean oil) combinations for 4 weeks. CLA was added at the 1.0% level to all diets. The weight of perirenal adipose tissue tended to be lower in the SOY groups than in the corresponding CAS groups, and the difference between the LF diets was significant. The weight of epididymal adipose tissue showed a similar but insignificant trend. The weight of brown adipose tissue was heaviest on the SOY-HF diet and lowest on two CAS diets, the SOY-LF diet being intermediate. The concentration of serum leptin was lowest on the SOY-LF diet and was significantly lower than that of the corresponding CAS group, but this difference disappeared when the dietary fat level increased. The serum cholesterol-lowering activity of SOY in relation to CAS was reproduced even when CLA was given. Thus the body fat-reducing activity of CLA was most marked when rats were fed the SOY-LF diet. Although the CAS-HF diet increased body fat deposition, the magnitude of the reduction by lowering dietary fat level was more marked than in the case of SOY. These results indicate a complicated interaction of dietary manipulations with the body fat-reducing effect of CLA, but the combination of CLA with the SOY-LF diet appears to be an appropriate approach.     

Dietary manipulations of body fat-reducing potential of conjugated linoleic acid in rats.

To study whether the body fat-reducing potential of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) could be increased through dietary manipulations, the effects of the combination of CLA with different proteins, fats, and sesamin were examined in rats. Male rats were fed diets containing 1% CLA or linoleic acid (LA) in combination with different proteins (20% of casein or soybean protein), fats (7% perilla oil or soybean oil) and 0.2% sesamin (SES) for 3 or 4 weeks. When the dietary fat source was soybean oil, CLA, as compared with LA, significantly reduced weights of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues, irrespective of the dietary protein sources. However, the highest reducing effect was shown when soybean protein was given as a protein source. SES stimulated the reduction of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue weights in both protein diets. In contrast, CLA increased the weight of brown adipose tissue, and SES further increased it in combination with soybean oil but not with perilla oil. No effect of dietary manipulation was observed on serum leptin and TNF-alpha levels. Thus, the body fat-reducing potential of CLA can be increased by an appropriate combination with food factors that may stimulate fatty acid beta-oxidation.     

Combined effects of dietary protein type and fat level on the body fat-reducing activity of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in rats

The interaction of dietary protein type and fat level on the body fat-reducing activity of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was studied in male rats fed diets containing casein (CAS) or soy protein (SOY) as a protein source with low fat (LF, 6.0% soybean oil) or high fat (HF, 13.0% soybean oil) combinations for 4 weeks. CLA was added at the 1.0% level to all diets. The weight of perirenal adipose tissue tended to be lower in the SOY groups than in the corresponding CAS groups, and the difference between the LF diets was significant. The weight of epididymal adipose tissue showed a similar but insignificant trend. The weight of brown adipose tissue was heaviest on the SOY-HF diet and lowest on two CAS diets, the SOY-LF diet being intermediate. The concentration of serum leptin was lowest on the SOY-LF diet and was significantly lower than that of the corresponding CAS group, but this difference disappeared when the dietary fat level increased. The serum cholesterol-lowering activity of SOY in relation to CAS was reproduced even when CLA was given. Thus the body fat-reducing activity of CLA was most marked when rats were fed the SOY-LF diet. Although the CAS-HF diet increased body fat deposition, the magnitude of the reduction by lowering dietary fat level was more marked than in the case of SOY. These results indicate a complicated interaction of dietary manipulations with the body fat-reducing effect of CLA, but the combination of CLA with the SOY-LF diet appears to be an appropriate approach.     

Influence of Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Fat Source on Body Fat and Apoptosis in Mice*

Objective: To determine whether altered dietary essential fatty acid (linoleic and arachidonic acid) concentrations alter sensitivity to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)‐induced body fat loss or DNA fragmentation. Research Methods and Procedures: Mice were fed diets containing soy oil (control), coconut oil [essential fatty acid deficient (EFAD)], or fish oil (FO) for 42 days, and then diets were supplemented with a mixture of CLA isomers (0.5% of the diet) for 14 days. Body fat index, fat pad and liver weights, DNA fragmentation in adipose tissue, and fatty acid profiles of adipose tissue were determined. Results: The EFAD diet decreased (p < 0.05) linoleic and arachidonic acid in mouse adipose tissue but did not affect body fat. Dietary CLA caused a reduction (p < 0.05) in body fat. Mice fed the EFAD diet and then supplemented with CLA exhibited a greater reduction (p < 0.001) in body fat (20.21% vs. 6.94% in EFAD and EFAD + CLA‐fed mice, respectively) compared with mice fed soy oil. Dietary FO decreased linoleic acid and increased arachidonic acid in mouse adipose tissue. Mice fed FO or CLA were leaner (p < 0.05) than control mice. FO + CLA‐fed mice did not differ in body fat compared with FO‐fed mice. Adipose tissue apoptosis was increased (p < 0.001) in CLA‐supplemented mice and was not affected by fat source. Discussion: Reductions in linoleic acid concentration made mice more sensitive to CLA‐induced body fat loss only when arachidonic acid concentrations were also reduced. Dietary essential fatty acids did not affect CLA‐induced DNA fragmentation.     

Fucoxanthin-rich seaweed extract suppresses body weight gain and improves lipid metabolism in high-fat-fed C57BL/6J mice

An ethanol extract of fucoxanthin-rich seaweed was examined for its effectiveness as a nutraceutical for body fat-lowering agent and for an antiobese effect based on mode of actions in C57BL/6J mice. Animals were randomized to receive a semi-purified high-fat diet (20% dietary fat, 10% corn oil and 10% lard) supplemented with 0.2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as the positive control, 1.43% or 5.72% fucoxanthin-rich seaweed ethanol extract (Fx-SEE), equivalent to 0.05% or 0.2% dietary fucoxanthin for six weeks. Results showed that supplementation with both doses of Fx-SEE significantly reduced body and abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) weights, plasma and hepatic triglyceride (TG), and/or cholesterol concentrations compared to the high-fat control group. Activities of adipocytic fatty acid (FA) synthesis, hepatic FA and TG synthesis, and cholesterol–regulating enzyme were also lowered by Fx-SEE supplement. Concentrations of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fecal TG and cholesterol, as well as FA oxidation enzyme activity and UCP1 mRNA expression in epididymal WAT were significantly higher in the Fx-SEE groups than in the high-fat control group. CLA treatment reduced the body weight gain and plasma TG concentration. Overall, these results indicate that Fx-SEE affects the plasma and hepatic lipid profile, fecal lipids and body fat mass, and alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism, FA synthesis and lipid absorption.     

Differential effects of conjugated linoleic acid isomers in insulin-resistant female C57Bl/6J mice

Obesity is associated with a high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, management of body weight to prevent obesity remains as an important priority. The present investigation addresses the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on body weight and composition of body fat in female C57Bl/6J mice. To investigate the differential effects of individual CLA isomers and their mixture on changes in lean mass, fat mass, glucose and insulin, 6-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were fed with 10% corn oil (CO) as a dietary fat source and either supplemented with purified cis 9,trans 11 (c9t11) CLA (0.5%) or trans 10,cis 12 (t10c12) CLA (0.5%) and/or their mixture (50:50) for 6 months. As a result of 6 months' dietary intervention, both the t10c12-CLA and CLA mix showed increased lean mass and reduced fat mass compared to the CO and c9t11-CLA groups. Insulin resistance was, however, increased in t10c12-CLA and CLA mix-fed groups based on the results of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), the revised quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (R-QUICKI) and also with intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). In conclusion, long-term feeding of the major CLA isomers in 12-month-old C57Bl/6J mice revealed a contrasting effect on fat mass, glucose and insulin metabolism. The t10c12 isomer is found to reduce the fat mass and increase the lean mass but significantly contributed to increase insulin resistance and liver steatosis, whereas c9t11 isomer prevented the insulin resistance.     

Increased Energy Metabolism and Suppressed Body Fat Accumulation in Mice by a Low Concentration of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

We investigated the dose-effect of the long-term intake of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the energy metabolism and fat accumulation in mice. Five-week-old male Std ddY mice were fed on a diet containing none (control), 0.25%, 0.5% or 1.0% CLA for 4 or 8 weeks. The body weight was lower in the CLA groups than in the control group, and significant differences were detected between the 1.0% CLA group and the control group at both 4 and 8 weeks. The epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the CLA groups than in the control group. The liver weight and hepatic triglyceride values were higher in the 1.0% CLA group than in the other groups. The metabolic rate was measured after 8 weeks by using a gas analyzer. The oxygen consumption of the mice in the CLA groups was significantly higher than that of the control mice. Since there was a significant effect on the mice supplemented with 0.25% CLA, low concentration of CLA is suggested to suppress the body fat accumulation and increase the energy metabolism.     

Increased energy metabolism and suppressed body fat accumulation in mice by a low concentration of conjugated linoleic acid.

We investigated the dose-effect of the long-term intake of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the energy metabolism and fat accumulation in mice. Five-week-old male Std ddY mice were fed on a diet containing none (control), 0.25%, 0.5% or 1.0% CLA for 4 or 8 weeks. The body weight was lower in the CLA groups than in the control group, and significant differences were detected between the 1.0% CLA group and the control group at both 4 and 8 weeks. The epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue weights were significantly lower in the CLA groups than in the control group. The liver weight and hepatic triglyceride values were higher in the 1.0% CLA group than in the other groups. The metabolic rate was measured after 8 weeks by using a gas analyzer. The oxygen consumption of the mice in the CLA groups was significantly higher than that of the control mice. Since there was a significant effect on the mice supplemented with 0.25% CLA, low concentration of CLA is suggested to suppress the body fat accumulation and increase the energy metabolism.     

Adiposity and serum parameters in hamsters fed energy restricted diets supplemented or not with trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid

Numerous studies have demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) modulates body composition, reducing body fat accumulation in various mammalian species. However, very few studies have been carried out to assess the effect of CLA on previously stored body fat. The aim of the present work was to analyse the effectiveness of trans-10,cis-12 CLA in improving alterations produced by high-fat feeding in body fat and serum parameters when it was included in an energy-restricted diet. For this purpose male Syrian Golden hamsters were fed on high-fat diet for 7 weeks in order to increase their body fat content, and a further 25% energy-restricted diet supplemented or not with 0.5% trans-10,cis-12 CLA for 3 weeks. Adipose tissues, liver and gastrocnemious muscles were dissected and weighed. Adipocyte diameter and number were assessed in epididymal adipose tissue. Total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, non-esterified fatty acids and glucose were measured in serum. Three weeks of energy restriction resulted in a reduction in body weight and white adipose tissue size in all anatomical locations, without changes in liver and gastrocnemious muscle weights. Epididymal adipocyte size was reduced, but total adipocyte number remained unchanged. Serum cholesterol, triacylglycerols and glucose were significantly reduced. No differences were observed between the restricted groups (control and CLA supplemented). In conclusion, under our experimental conditions, the addition of trans-10,cis-12 CLA to the diet does not increase the benefits produced by energy restriction.     

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accumulation and serum lipids in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a mixture of naturally occurring positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid that exist in dairy products and meat. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of c-9,t-11 and t-10,c-12 CLA isomers on body fat accumulation and serum lipids in hamsters fed an atherogenic diet. Hamsters were divided in four groups: one group was fed a chow diet (control) and the other three groups were given semi-purified atherogenic diets with 0.5% linoleic acid (LA), c-9,t-11 or t-10,c-12 CLA. Body weight and food intake were measured daily. After 6 weeks, adipose tissues from different anatomical locations and liver were dissected and weighed. Serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerol levels, as well as total and free cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipid content in liver were determined by enzymatic methods. No differences in either energy intake or final body weight were found. The addition of t-10,c-12 CLA reduced fat accumulation and led to lower serum cholesterol, as compared with LA group. Nevertheless the level remained higher than in the control animals. The reduction in serum cholesterol was limited to LDL-c. This isomer also reduced triacylglycerol content in liver but did not modify serum triacylglycerol level. In summary, the present study demonstrates that t-10,c-12 CLA is the biologically active agent when anti-obesity and hypocholesterolaemic properties of CLA are considered. In contrast, the isomer c-9,t-11 has no effect on lipid metabolism in hamsters.     

Combination of conjugated linoleic acid with fish oil prevents age-associated bone marrow adiposity in C57Bl/6J mice

The inverse relationship between fat in bone marrow and bone mass in the skeleton of aging subjects is well known. However, there is no precise therapy for the treatment of bone marrow adiposity. We investigated the ability of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fish oil (FO), alone or in combination, to modulate bone loss using 12 months old C57Bl/6J mice fed 10% corn oil diet as control or supplemented with 0.5% CLA or 5% FO or 0.5% CLA+5% FO for 6 months. We found, CLA-fed mice exhibited reduced body weight, body fat mass (BFM) and enhanced hind leg lean mass (HLLM) and bone mineral density (BMD) in different regions measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); however, associated with fatty liver and increased insulin resistance; whereas, FO fed mice exhibited enhanced BMD, improved insulin sensitivity, with no changes in BFM and HLLM. Interestingly, CLA+FO fed mice exhibited reduced body weight, BFM, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and cathepsin K expression in bone marrow with enhanced BMD and HLLM. Moreover, CLA+FO supplementation reduced liver hypertrophy and improved insulin sensitivity with remarkable attenuation of bone marrow adiposity, inflammation and oxidative stress in aging mice. Therefore, CLA with FO combination might be a novel dietary supplement to reduce fat mass and improve BMD.     

Dietary Stearic Acid Leads to a Reduction of Visceral Adipose Tissue in Athymic Nude Mice

Stearic acid (C18:0) is a long chain dietary saturated fatty acid that has been shown to reduce metastatic tumor burden. Based on preliminary observations and the growing evidence that visceral fat is related to metastasis and decreased survival, we hypothesized that dietary stearic acid may reduce visceral fat. Athymic nude mice, which are used in models of human breast cancer metastasis, were fed a stearic acid, linoleic acid (safflower oil), or oleic acid (corn oil) enriched diet or a low fat diet ad libitum. Total body weight did not differ significantly between dietary groups over the course of the experiment. However visceral fat was reduced by ∼70% in the stearic acid fed group compared to other diets. In contrast total body fat was only slightly reduced in the stearic acid diet fed mice when measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative magnetic resonance. Lean body mass was increased in the stearic acid fed group compared to all other groups by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary stearic acid significantly reduced serum glucose compared to all other diets and increased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) compared to the low fat control. The low fat control diet had increased serum leptin compared to all other diets. To investigate possible mechanisms whereby stearic acid reduced visceral fat we used 3T3L1 fibroblasts/preadipocytes. Stearic acid had no direct effects on the process of differentiation or on the viability of mature adipocytes. However, unlike oleic acid and linoleic acid, stearic acid caused increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) and cytotoxicity in preadipocytes. The apoptosis was, at least in part, due to increased caspase-3 activity and was associated with decreased cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP2) and increased Bax gene expression. In conclusion, dietary stearic acid leads to dramatically reduced visceral fat likely by causing the apoptosis of preadipocytes.     

The effects of t10,c12 CLA isomer compared with c9,t11 CLA isomer on lipid metabolism and body composition in hamsters

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of two different isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), c9,t11 CLA and t10,c12 CLA, compared with linoleic acid (LA) used as control, on body composition, lipoprotein profile, hepatic lipids and fecal fat content in hamsters. Animals were assigned to the three diet groups (n=15) during 28 days. The diet was composed of 2% of the experimental fat, and throughout the experimental protocol, the hamsters experienced similar food intake. No significant differences were noted in body weight gain among the three diet groups. However, the t10,c12 CLA-fed animals showed higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (0.9+/-0.1 mmol/L) than those who ingested either LA (0.6+/-0.1 mmol/L) or c9,t11 CLA isomer (0.7+/-0.1 mmol/L), although the t10,c12 CLA consumption decreased hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides and increased fecal fat content compared with the other two groups. Under the present experimental conditions, the dietary c9,t11 CLA isomer showed no positive beneficial effect on plasma lipids. Furthermore, the t10,c12 CLA isomer induced undesirable higher LDL-C, although it reduced hepatic lipids and fat digestibility in hamsters.     

Effect of supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid on human serum lipids and body fat

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a natural component of meat and dairy products with anticarcinogenic, fat lowering, antiatherogenic and anticatabolic activity in animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CLA supplementation to humans on body fat, certain biochemical parameters of serum, and the CLA content of serum lipids. Twenty-two volunteers were divided into a study group and a control group in a doubly blind design. The study group received 0.7 g of CLA for four weeks and 1.4 g of CLA for the next four weeks, while the control group received placebo. Diet was controlled and no significant differences in energy or macronutrient intake were found between the two groups. Measurements were taken at baseline, four weeks, and eight weeks. The sum of the thickness of ten skinfolds, percentage body fat calculated from it and fat mass was significantly reduced in the CLA group during the second period (P < 0.004) but not overall during the study. Serum HDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and triacylglycerols as well as total cholesterol tended to decrease in the CLA group during the first period. The CLA content of serum non-esterified fatty acids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesteryl esters increased gradually with supplementation; the CLA content of total serum lipids doubled at the end of the study compared to baseline. Phospholipids had the highest CLA content regardless of supplementation. These data indicate that supplementation with 0.7-1.4 g CLA daily for 4-8 weeks may modulate body fat and serum lipids, as well as increase the CLA content of serum lipids in humans.     

Dietary conjugated nonadecadienoic acid prevents adult-onset obesity in nescient basic helix–loop–helix 2 knockout mice

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been extensively studied during the last two decades with regard to its effects on controlling body composition. As a cognate to CLA, conjugated nonadecadienoic acid (CNA) has been previously reported to reduce body fat more effectively than CLA. However, it is not known whether CNA supplementation can influence adult-onset obesity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary CNA on the prevention of adult-onset inactivity-induced obesity using nescient basic helix–loop–helix 2 knockout (N2KO) mice. CNA supplementation at 0.1 w/w% level starting in the preobese state significantly prevented the reduction of voluntary movement and the increase in weight gain in N2KO mice during the experimental period compared to wild-type animals. In both wild-type and N2KO mice, respiratory exchange ratio was significantly reduced by CNA treatment during light and dark cycles, and dietary CNA significantly increased energy expenditure in N2KO mice. Selected gene expression profiles in white adipose tissue, muscle or liver showed a beneficial action of CNA on lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. These findings suggest that CNA could prevent adult-onset obesity by enhancing voluntary activity and energy expenditure in N2KO mice.     

Dietary coconut oil increases conjugated linoleic acid-induced body fat loss in mice independent of essential fatty acid deficiency

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) induces a body fat loss that is enhanced in mice fed coconut oil (CO), which lacks essential fatty acids (EFA). Our objective was to determine if CO enhancement of CLA-induced body fat loss is due to the lack of EFA. The CLA-EFA interaction was tested by feeding CO and fat free (FF) diets for varying times with and without replenishment of individual EFA. Mice fed CO during only the 2-week CLA-feeding period did not differ from control mice in their adipose EFA content but still tended (P=0.06) to be leaner than mice fed soy oil (SO). Mice raised on CO or FF diets and fed CLA were leaner than the SO+CLA-fed mice (P<0.01). Mice raised on CO and then replenished with linoleic, linolenic, or arachidonic acid were leaner when fed CLA than mice raised on SO (P<0.001). Body fat of CO+CLA-fed mice was not affected by EFA addition. In summary, CO-fed mice not lacking in tissue EFA responded more to CLA than SO-fed mice. Also, EFA addition to CO diets did not alter the enhanced response to CLA. Therefore, the increased response to CLA in mice raised on CO or FF diets appears to be independent of a dietary EFA deficiency.     

Conjugated nonadecadienoic acid is more potent than conjugated linoleic acid on body fat reduction

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has shown a number of health benefits, particularly on controlling body fat while improving lean mass. As one of CLA cognates, conjugated nonadecadienoic acid (CNA, 19-carbon conjugated fatty acid) has been previously reported to have greater efficacy on body fat control. In this report, we compared the efficacy of dietary CLA and CNA on body fat regulation and also compared the mechanism of body fat control using a mouse model. Effects of 0.1% dietary CNA on body fat reduction were comparable to that of 0.5% dietary CLA. The mechanisms of dietary CNA on body fat control were similar to those of CLA: increased energy expenditure and increased fatty acid β-oxidation. Dietary CNA, but not CLA, also improved expression of hormone-sensitive lipase from white adipose tissue, and this may help explain how CNA has better efficacy on body fat control than CLA. Dietary CNA had similar effects as CLA on liver weights; however, unlike CLA, CNA improved glucose tolerance. Thus, CNA has potential to be used as a pharmacological agent to assist current efforts to reduce obesity with less adverse effects than CLA.     

The effects of dietary conjugated nonadecadienoic acid on body composition in mice.

A 19-carbon conjugated diene, conjugated nonadecadienoic acid (CNA), inhibited heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase and reduced lipid stores in 3T3-L1 adipocytes similarly to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). When fed to growing mice (0.3% of diet) CNA reduced body fat by 81% whereas CLA reduced body fat by 25%. CLA and CNA differ in length by one carbon atom so they are unlikely to share a common metabolite to account for these observations.     

Evidence that the anti-obesity effect of conjugated linoleic acid is independent of effects on stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 expression and enzyme activity

The trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces body fat gain in animals and inhibits stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. To test whether CLA's body fat reduction is mediated by SCD1, wild-type and SCD1-null mice were fed diet supplemented with 0.2% trans-10,cis-12 (t10c12) CLA for 4 weeks. The t10c12 CLA-supplemented diet significantly reduced body fat mass in both wild type and SCD1-null mice. Similarly, t10c12 CLA diet decreased blood triglyceride and free fatty acid levels regardless of SCD1 genotypes. Mice fed t10c12 CLA exhibited increased mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase and uncoupling protein 2 in both genotypes. Taken together, the effects of t10c12 CLA on reduction of body fat gain, blood parameters, and mRNA expression in both SCD1-null mice and wild-type mice were similar, indicating that the anti-obesity effect of t10c12 CLA may be independent of the effects of this CLA isomer on SCD1 gene expression and enzyme activity.