Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity.

Ilenia Martinelli,Giulio Lupidi,Michele Moruzzi,Francesco Amenta,Maria Gabriella Gabrielli,Daniele Tomassoni,Fabrizio Dini,Seyed Khosrow Tayebati,Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura,Consuelo Amantini,Carlo Polidori,Carlo Cifani,Andrea Marchegiani,Alessandro Fruganti,Federica Maggi,Carlotta Marini

doi:10.3390/nu12051308

Ilenia Martinelli, Giulio Lupidi + Show 14 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051308

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Abstract

The accumulation of adipose tissue increases the risk of several diseases. The fruits-intake, containing phytochemicals, is inversely correlated with their development. This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were exposed to a high-fat diet with the supplementation of tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS). After 17 weeks, the DIO rats showed an increase of body weight, glycaemia, insulin, and systolic blood pressure. In the DS and DJS groups, there was a decrease of systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglycerides, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in the serum. In the DJS rats, computed tomography revealed a decrease in the spleen-to-liver attenuation ratio. Indeed, sections of the DIO rats presented hepatic injury characterized by steatosis, which was lower in the supplemented groups. In the liver of the DIO compared with rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW), a down-regulation of the GRP94 protein expression and a reduction of LC3- II/LC3-I ratio were found, indicating endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired autophagy flux. Interestingly, tart cherry supplementation enhanced both unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. This study suggests that tart cherry supplementation, although it did not reduce body weight in the DIO rats, prevented its related risk factors and liver steatosis.

Highlights

Obesity consists in the abnormal deposition of adipose tissue, associated with metabolic and chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cancer [1]
This study evaluates in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats and the effects of the juice and seed powder of Prunus cerasus L., monitoring them for 17 weeks compared to age-matched control rats, fed with a standard diet
The body weight of the rats assigned to the high fat diet (HFD), DIO group

Summary

Introduction

Obesity consists in the abnormal deposition of adipose tissue, associated with metabolic and chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cancer [1]. It is characterized by inflammation that alters cell metabolism and insulin signaling in metabolically active tissues [2]. The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Increased food intake, reduced physical activity, and altered metabolic processes affect energy balance, inducing obesity [3]. A high-fat diet (HFD) represents the etiology of obesity in modern societies. The availability of useful animal models reflecting human obesity, such as diet-induced obese (DIO) rats, is crucial in the exploration of innovative compounds for the pharmacological treatment of obesity [4]

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