Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) is a major problem causing neuronal damage. Thymoquinone (TQ) could regulate oxidative stress and the inflammatory process. Hence, the present study elucidated the significant role of TQ on oxidative stress, inflammation, as well as morphological changes in the cerebellum of rats with HFD. Rats were divided into three groups as (1) control, (2) saturated HFD for eight weeks and (3) HFD supplementation (four weeks) followed by TQ 300 mg/kg/day treated (four weeks). After treatment, blood samples were collected to measure oxidative stress markers glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, neuronal morphological changes were also observed in the cerebellum of the rats. HFD rats show higher body weight (286.5 ± 7.4 g) as compared with the control group (224.67 ± 1.78 g). TQ treatment significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the body weight (225.83 ± 13.15 g). TQ produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The antioxidative enzymes significantly reduced in HFD rats (GSH, 1.46 ± 0.36 mol/L and SOD, 99.13 ± 5.41 µmol/mL) as compared with the control group (GSH, 6.25 ± 0.36 mol/L and SOD, 159.67 ± 10.67 µmol/mL). MDA was increased significantly in HFD rats (2.05 ± 0.25 nmol/L) compared to the control group (0.695 ± 0.11 nmol/L). Surprisingly, treatment with TQ could improve the level of GSH, MDA, and SOD. TQ treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the inflammatory markers as compared with HFD alone. TQ treatment minimizes neuronal damage as well as reduces inflammation and improves antioxidant enzymes. TQ can be considered as a promising agent in preventing the neuronal morphological changes in the cerebellum of obese populations.
Highlights
Various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, which plague our current times, are majorly influenced by obesity and overweight [1].In addition, researchers have noted that the risk of neurodegenerative diseases escalates with obesity [2]
The rats supplemented for eight weeks with high-fat diet (HFD) showed a significant increase in body weight (p < 0.05) but treatment with TQ with HFD supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the body weight (Figure 1A)
Before the supplementation of the HFD, there was no significant body weight difference found among all groups
Summary
Various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, which plague our current times, are majorly influenced by obesity and overweight [1]. Researchers have noted that the risk of neurodegenerative diseases escalates with obesity [2]. The elevated commonness of neurodegenerative disorders could have a significant influence on the life conditions of the patients. There is a distinct parallel relationship between the developments in neurological disease, such as obesity, which has been indicated by significant research [3]. Afflictions to the brain are linked with metabolic alterations generated by obesity. These afflictions could prompt neuronal death, either by apoptosis or cell necrosis, in addition to changes in the neuron’s synaptic plasticity [4,5]
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