Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L.) Digested Total Protein Prevented Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Reduce Obesity Complications in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effects of digested total proteins (DTP) from chia seed to prevent adipogenesis and adipose tissue inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet. Methods C57Bl/6 black mice (n = 44; 8 weeks old) where divided in 4 groups (n = 12 each): negative control (NC; standard diet AIN-93M); positive control (PC; high fat diet- HFD- 60% of lipids); normal diet + DTP (NH; standard diet + 400 mg/kg of body/day of DTP); high-fat diet plus DTP (HFH; HFD + 400 mg/kg of body/day of DTP). After 9 weeks of treatment, the animals were euthanized and the blood and the adipose tissue (total) were collected. Plasma was used to analyze total cholesterol, high-density (HDL) and low-density (LDL) lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerides (TGL), aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferase levels by colorimetry. Waist circumference was measured by metric tape in the middle portion between the anus and mouth and the quantity of p-p65-NF-κB and PPAR-Y ELISA test. Histomorphometric analysis was determined in adipose tissue staining with hematoxylin/eosin to determined adipocytes area and foci of inflammation by the average of 1000 cells/group. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post-hoc of Newman-Kews (P < 0.05). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Viçosa (Protocol 01/2019). Results DTP from chia seed reduced the plasmatic levels of total cholesterol (−17.5%), LDL (−42.8%), TGL (−12.3%), and waist circumference (−5.5%) in obesity mice DTP-treated (P < 0.05). The treatment with DTP reduced the adipocytes area in HFH group by −15.1% and the foci of inflammation in −78.1% in comparison with PC (P < 0.05). The levels of p-p65-NF-κB in adipose tissue were reduced by DTP in mice fed a HFD in −41.1% (P < 0.05). However, PPAR-γ levels, body fat (%), Lee index, and HDL levels were not changed by DTP (P > 0.05). The levels of AST and ALT were not affected by HFD or DTP (P > 0.05). Conclusions DTP from chia seed had an anti-inflammatory and even an anti-adipogenic effect. These results show the effectiveness of digested proteins from chia seed against obesity and its associated inflammation. Funding Sources CNPq and CAPES (Brazil), and ACES (USA).