The following effects have been reported: inhibition of weight gain and adipose mass deposit, improvement of plasma lipid profile and glucose tolerance, reduction of inflammatory markers (leptin, resistin and TNF-α), elevation of adiponectin levels, reduction of lipogenic enzyme activity in adipose and hepatic tissues and increase of beta-oxidation in the liver.15 , 16 In a recent study in rats with induced hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia, sericin decreased plasma cholesterol and reverted mitochondrial damage in the heart and liver. This evidence concerns the gene RETN and familial hypercholesterolemia.