Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of action of Fuzhuan brick tea water extract (FTE) in preventing obesity and hypercholesterolemia. Specific pathogen-free Sprague Dawley (SPF SD) rats were selected and divided equally into six groups: normal diet, high-fat diet, positive control (Xuezhikang, a hypolipidemic agent), and low-, medium- and high-dose FTE intervention. A comparative analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of Fuzhuan brick tea in preventing obese dyslipidemia. The results showed that FTE affected the intestinal and hepatic bile acid (BA) metabolism cycle by regulating the structure and function of the intestinal microbiota, enhanced antioxidant capacity and systemic lipid consumption in rats, had a significant protective effect on the structure and function of the liver and intestines, improved the lipid profile and inflammatory response, and inhibited excessive body mass gain induced by a high-fat diet in rats. Collectively, we concluded that FTE has a significant preventive effect on nutritional obesity and hypercholesterolemia, and it is advantageous over Xuezhikang in preventing body mass gain and lipid accumulation, increasing lipid consumption, inhibiting liver functional enzymes and regulating bile acid metabolism.

Key words: Fuzhuan brick tea; obesity prevention; gut microbiota; bile acid metabolism