Theobromine

Theobromine is a methylxanthine found in cacao beans which can inhibit adenosine receptor A1 (AR1) signaling. IC50 & Target:AR1^[1] In Vitro: Theobromine, at concentrations above 25 μM, decreases lipid accumulation in these cells. Cell viability is not affected by Theobromine. Theobromine, at concentrations above 25 μM, suppresses protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα and adipogenic genes. The mRNA levels of these genes are also decreased by Theobromine^[1]. In Vivo: Body weights are lower in the Theobromine group than in the vehicle group. In addition, Theobromine suppresses gains in weight of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues. The mean adipocyte area is smaller in the Theobromine group than in the vehicle group^[1]. Theobromine group shows lower counts than the other groups when considering the number of bacteria per fecal weight (p=0.021 and p=0.055 compare to the reference (RF) and the cocoa (CC) groups, respectively). The Theobromine diet leads to higher pH values than those found after the RF and CC diets. Fecal concentrations of lactic acid are not significantly affected by the experimental diets (4.26±1.54 mM in RF group; 1.96±0.41 mM in CC group; 2.69±0.73 mM in Theobromine group)^[2].