Sex-dependent effects of a yoghurt enriched with proteins in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity

Using a mouse model of diet-induced obesity in males and females C57BL/6 mice, effects of a yoghurtenriched with proteins on pro-inflammatory cytokine and lipid profiles were assessed. A clear sex-dependent behaviour of the mice was shown; females gained less weight than males independent ofthe diet. When a high fat diet was implemented with yoghurt, a reduction of cholesterol and triglyceridesin liver and blood serum of males, and triglycerides in the liver of females was observed. For male micefed with yoghurt, a significant reduction of the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected; infemale mice, the anti-inflammatory effect due to yoghurt consumption was observed only to a minorextent. Principal component analysis confirmed that gender or diet was able to group individual animals.A higher variability of data was observed in females compared with males, probably the reason why lesssignificant differences were observed in the former.