Mitochondria-targeted dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C12TPP) combats high-fat-diet-induced obesity in mice

Background: A membrane-penetrating cation, dodecyltriphenylphosphonium (C 12 TPP), facilitates the recycling of fatty acids in the artificial lipid membrane and mitochondria. C 12 TPP can dissipate mitochondrial membrane potential and may affect total energy expenditure and body weight in animals and humans. Methods: We investigated the metabolic effects of C 12 TPP in isolated brown-fat mitochondria, brown adipocyte cultures and mice in vivo . Experimental approaches included the measurement of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, western blotting, magnetic resonance imaging and bomb calorimetry. Results: In mice, C 12 TPP (50 μmol per (day•kg body weight)) in the drinking water significantly reduced body weight (12%, P