Diet Supplementation with Madagascar Cockroach Flour (Gromphadorhina portentosa) Improved Malnourished Mice Metabolism and Ameliorated Liver Inflammatory Markers.

Abstract

Malnutrition and accessible high-quality protein food sources are two of the world's alimentary challenges. Edible insects are nowadays recognized as a possible functional food solution with lower environmental impacts and beneficial health effects. In this context, the aim of the present study is to evaluate Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) flour supplementation effects on a malnourished mice model, considering its effects on metabolism, adiposity, and inflammatory liver profiles. Male Swiss mice are divided into five groups and fed with experimental diets for eight weeks, including a standard diet (ST) ad libitum, AIN93 ad libitum (AIN), insect flour-enriched AIN93 (AIN+IM), AIN-40% feed restriction (AIN-FR), and insect flour-enriched AIN-40% of feed restriction (AIN-FR+IM). The metabolic profiles, adipose tissue, biochemical parameters, and liver IL-6 and IL-10 expression are evaluated. The main findings show a body weight and metabolism improvement followed by an increased recovery of the adipocyte area in the AIN-FR+IM group when compared to the AIN-FR malnourished group. Reduced hepatic IL-6 and increased IL-10 expression are also detected in the AIN-FR+IM group. The results show that insect flour supplementation enhances both body weight and adiposity gain/recovery. The results also show hepatic improvement of inflammatory markers.