Sub-nanosized vanadate hybrid clusters maintain glucose homeostasis and restore treatment response in inflammatory disease in obese mice

Obesity is closely related with insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Here, we report that unsaturated lipid-modified polyoxovanadates (ULPOVs) can restrict weight gain of diet-induced obese mice and improve their glycemic control and obesity-associated inflammation. Oral administration of the sub-nanosized ULPOVs at a low dosage for 7 weeks reduces the body weight and almost normalizes the blood glucose levels of obese mice fed on a high-fat diet. ULPOV treatment increases the activity of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and reduces intestinal caloric intake, which may be the main reason for blood sugar and body weight control. In addition to insulin-sensitizing, PPARγ activation induced by ULPOV treatment in obese mice with atopic dermatitis (AD) promotes the type 2 T helper (T_H2) cell selective responses and therapeutic effects on immune dysregulation caused by obesity. These data suggest sub-nanosized polyoxovanadate clusters as a class of potential candidates to relieve symptoms accompanied by diet-induced obesity.