High-fat And High-fructose Diet Research Articles

Effects of Different Vegetable Oils on the Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in C57/BL Mice.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic disorder, affecting 22-28% of the adult population and more than 50% of obese people all over the world. Modulation of the fatty acids in diet as a means of prevention against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in animal models (NAFLD) remains unclear. The treatment of NAFLD has not been described in specific guidelines so far. Thus, the justification for the study is to check modifications in macronutrients composition, fatty acids, in particular, play a significant role in the treatment of NAFLD regardless of weight loss. To investigate different vegetable oils in prevention and progression of NAFLD in animal models. For the experiment were used fifty C57BL/6J mice male fed with high fat and fructose diet (HFD) to induce the NAFLD status and they received different commercial vegetable oils for 16 weeks to prevent steatosis. Liver steatosis and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed using biochemical and histological methods. Fatty acids profile in the oils and in the liver samples was obtained. The high fat and fructose diet led to obesity and the vegetable oils offered were effective in maintaining body weight similar to the control group. At the end of the experiment (16 weeks), the HFHFr group had a greater body weight compared to control and treated groups (HFHFr: 44.20 ± 2.34 g/animal vs. control: 34.80 ± 3.45 g/animal; p < 0.001; HFHFr/OL: 35.40 ± 4.19 g/animal; HFHFr/C: 36.10 ± 3.92 g/animal; HFHFr/S: 36.25 ± 5.70 g/animal; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the HFD diet has caused an increase in total liver fat compared to control (p < 0.01). Among the treated groups, the animals receiving canola oil showed a reduction of hepatic and retroperitoneal fat (p < 0.05). These biochemical levels were positively correlated with the hepatic histology findings. Hepatic levels of omega-3 decreased in the olive oil and high fat diet groups compared to the control group, whereas these levels increased in the groups receiving canola and soybean oil compared to control and the high fat groups. In conclusion, the commercial vegetable oils either contributed to the prevention or reduction of induced nonalcoholic fatty liver with high fat and fructose diet, especially canola oil.

Water extract of goji berries improves neuroinflammation induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet based on the bile acid-mediated gut-brain axis pathway.

The high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) is a common diet in westernized societies, which worsens disturbances in gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) metabolism. Herein, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of the water extract of Lycium barbarum fruits (LBE) on gut microbiota and BA metabolism in mice with HFFD-induced neuroinflammation. The results showed that supplementation of LBE for 14 weeks remarkably ameliorated weight gain and insulin resistance and suppressed microglial activation and neural neuroinflammation induced by HFFD. The results of Morris water maze and Y-maze tests demonstrated that LBE attenuated HFFD-induced cognitive impairment. Moreover, LBE elevated hepatic BA biosynthesis and excretion of BAs and increased elimination of BAs via the feces. Notably, LBE supplementation resulted in the enrichment of tauroursodeoxycholic acid in the cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, the 16S rDNA sequencing results showed that LBE could modulate the structure of gut microbiota, and in the meantime decrease the relative abundance of Clostridium_XlVa, which is associated with BA homeostasis. Additionally, LBE exerted neuroprotective effects involving the increment of Lactococcus, known as a potentially beneficial bacterium. These results demonstrated that LBE could ameliorate neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in HFFD-induced mice through the gut-liver-brain axis, which might be due to the regulation of BA homeostasis and gut microbiota in mice.

Serum Phospholipids Are Potential Therapeutic Targets of Aqueous Extracts of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) against Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is rich in phenolic compounds with antiobesogenic and antidiabetic effects. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts of two varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Alma blanca (white-yellow color) and Cuarenteña (purple color), were evaluated for the prevention of obesity and insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD), identifying targeted molecules through global metabolomics. After sixteen weeks, both roselle aqueous extracts prevented body weight gain, and white roselle extract ameliorated insulin resistance and decreased serum free fatty acid levels. Moreover, white roselle extract decreased 18:0 and 20:4 lysophosphatidylethanolamines and purple roselle extract increased 16:0 and 20:4 lysophosphatidylinositol compared to HFFD-fed rats. These results demonstrate that roselle's beneficial health effects are variety-dependent. Interestingly, the white roselle extract showed a greater beneficial effect, probably due to its high contents of organic and phenolic acids, though its consumption is not as popular as that of the red/purple varieties.

RETRACTED: Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Ephedraceae) leaf extracts: phytochemical screening, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-toxic activities on diabetic-induced liver-kidney-testes toxicities and inhibition of α-amylase and lipase enzymes

The study evaluated the phytochemical composition of Ephedra alata and its effects on α-amylase and lipase enzymes and diabetic-induced liver-kidney-testes toxicities to determine the anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-toxic potentials of the plant. Obesity was induced by a high-fat and fructose diet (HFFD). Various compounds were identified and quantified: cafeic acid, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin, rutin, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, p-Coumaric acid and others in EA aqueous extract (EAWE). In vitro, this study showed that EAWE strongly inhibited lipase activity as compared to EA methanol (EAME) and ethyl acetate EA extracts (EAEE). In obese rats, the supplementation of EAWE inhibited significantly (P < 0.01) intestinal and pancreatic lipase activity by 35 and 36% respectively. This decrease in lipid digestive enzyme activity caused a significant (P < 0.05) reduce in the weight gain by 12.7% and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the serum lipid rate as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, the supplementation of EAWE to obese rats reduced the activity of α-amylase in the small intestine and pancreas by 26 and 31% respectively (P < 0.01) and consequently decreases in serum glucose level by 20.8% (P < 0.05). In addition, administration of EAWE in type 2 diabetes protected from obesity induced liver, kidney and testes alterations. The potent protective effect EAWE may be influenced by the diversity of phenolic compounds. therefore, this study showed in the first time that EAWE are efficient for the prevention and the amelioration of obesity, hyperglycemia, and various organs toxicities.

Curcumin-loaded nanocomplexes ameliorate the severity of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in hamsters infected with Opisthorchis viverrini.

Comorbidity of Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) infection and nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) enhances NAFLD progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by promoting severe liver inflammation and fibrosis. Here, we investigated the effect of supplementation with curcumin-loaded nanocomplexes (CNCs) on the severity of NASH in hamsters. Hamsters were placed in experimental groups as follows: fed standard chow diet (normal control, NC); fed only high-fat and high-fructose (HFF) diet; O. viverrini-infected and fed HFF diet (HFFOV); group fed with blank nanocomplexes (HFFOV+BNCs); groups fed different doses of CNCs (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight: HFFOV+CNCs25; HFFOV+CNCs50; HFFOV+CNCs100, respectively) and a group given native curcumin (HFFOV+CUR). All treatment were for three months. The HFF group revealed NAFLD as evidenced by hepatic fat accumulation, ballooning, mild inflammation and little or no fibrosis. These changes were more obvious in the HFFOV group, indicating development of NASH. In contrast, in the HFFOV+CNCs50 group, histopathological features indicated that hepatic fat accumulation, cell ballooning, cell inflammation and fibrosis were lower than in other treatment groups. Relevantly, the expression of lipid-uptake genes, including fatty-acid uptake (cluster of differentiation 36), was reduced, which was associated with the lowering of alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels. Reduced expression of an inflammation marker (high-mobility group box protein 1) and a fibrosis marker (alpha smooth-muscle actin) were also observed in the HFFOV+CNCs50 group. CNCs treatment attenuates the severity of NASH by decreasing hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis as well as TG synthesis. CNCs mitigate the severity of NASH in this preclinical study, which indicates promise for future use in patients.

Metformin improves neurobehavioral impairments of streptozotocin-treated and western diet-fed mice: Beyond glucose-lowering effects.

Brain insulin resistance has been pointed to as a possible link between diabetes and neuropsychiatric disorders; therefore, therapeutic approaches using anti-diabetic drugs to improve insulin levels or signaling could prevent type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D)-induced brain dysfunction. The present study aimed to determine whether metformin exerts beneficial effects on metabolic and neurobehavioral outcomes in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D model and western diet (WD)-induced obesity model in male Swiss mice. T1D was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg, for five consecutive days). The animals were then treated daily with saline or metformin (200 mg/kg/day, oral gavage), and a battery of tests recapitulating different neurobehavioral anomalies related to anxiogenic/depressive-like phenotype was conducted after 18 days. WD-induced obesity was modeled in mice by high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) feeding for 15 days. In the sequence, control and diet-induced obesity mice were treated daily with saline or metformin (200 mg/kg/day), and a battery of behavioral tests was performed after 17 days. STZ injection and WD feeding induced metabolic and neurobehavioral impairments in mice. Remarkably, metformin improved the metabolic and neurobehavioral parameters in WD-induced obesity mice. Moreover, metformin ameliorated STZ-induced neurobehavioral deficits while it failed to improve the associated metabolic impairments. The beneficial effects of metformin in STZ-induced neurobehavioral impairments were not mediated by improving peripheral insulin signaling. Our results suggest that conventional diabetes treatment could be repurposed to simultaneously improve neurobehavioral symptoms and diabetes.

PDIA3 epitope-driven immune autoreactivity contributes to hepatic damage in type 2 diabetes.

A diet rich in saturated fat and carbohydrates causes low-grade chronic inflammation in several organs, including the liver, ultimately driving nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In this setting, environment-driven lipotoxicity and glucotoxicity induce liver damage, which promotes dendritic cell activation and generates a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) immunopeptidome enriched with peptides derived from proteins involved in cellular metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and the stress responses. Here, we demonstrated that lipotoxicity and glucotoxicity, as driven by a high-fat and high-fructose (HFHF) diet, promoted MHC-II presentation of nested T and B cell epitopes from protein disulfide isomerase family A member 3 (PDIA3), which is involved in immunogenic cell death. Increased MHC-II presentation of PDIA3 peptides was associated with antigen-specific proliferation of hepatic CD4+ immune infiltrates and isotype switch of anti-PDIA3 antibodies from IgM to IgG3, indicative of cellular and humoral PDIA3 autoreactivity. Passive transfer of PDIA3-specific T cells or PDIA3-specific antibodies also exacerbated hepatocyte death, as determined by increased hepatic transaminases detected in the sera of mice subjected to an HFHF but not control diet. Increased humoral responses to PDIA3 were also observed in patients with chronic inflammatory liver conditions, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and type 2 diabetes. Together, our data indicated that metabolic insults caused by an HFHF diet elicited liver damage and promoted pathogenic immune autoreactivity driven by T and B cell PDIA3 epitopes.

Exploring the antioxidant effects of Aloe vera: Potential role in controlling liver function and lipid profile in high fat and fructose diet (HFFD) fed mice

BackgroundFat-rich diets are believed to induce obesity and contribute to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in contrast high fructose diet was reported to increase gut surface area and enhance nutrient uptake resulting in weight gain. The study investigated the role of Aloe vera supplementation on oxidative stress, lipid profiles, and liver histology in high fat and fructose diet-fed mice. MethodologyTwenty mice were distributed into four groups (n = 5). The groups received a regular diet, high fat and fructose diet (HFFD), HFFD plus 10% Aloe vera (HFFD+AV1), and HFFD plus 20% Aloe vera (HFFD+AV2) respectively, for 10 weeks. Lipid profile and liver function were evaluated from the serum, antioxidant activities were evaluated from liver homogenate while the liver was processed for light microscopy. ResultsThe cholesterol level of HFFD+AV treated mice was significantly lower compared to HFFD treated mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was significantly increased in HFFD-treated mice relative to the control. Aloe vera significantly improves albumin level plus superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of HFFD treated mice. The liver tissues of control and HFFD+AV2 treated mice showed normal hepatocytes. ConclusionThe study suggests that Aloe vera supplementation could prevent HFFD-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia. These findings might be used for further research on food supplementation to control metabolic disorders.

Butyrolactone I attenuates inflammation in murine NASH by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and a key element in the exacerbation of NAFLD. Since there are currently no drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat this disease, the search for treatments that can be translated into clinical use is urgent. Butyrolactone I (BLI), isolated from Aspergillus terreus, is an active compound possessing multiple biological activities. However, the effects of BLI on NASH have never been reported. In this study, RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were applied to study the anti-inflammatory effect and the underlying mechanisms of BLI in vitro. Following this, mice fed with high-fat and -fructose diet (HFFD) were used to explore the alleviation of NASH by BLIin vivo. We found that BLI attenuated inflammation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and downregulating the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, results of experiments in vivo demonstrated that BLI reduced serum transaminase levels, decreased hepatic fat accumulation, inhibited inflammation, suppressed oxidative stress, and ameliorated liver fibrosis. For the first time, we investigated the role of BLI in the treatment of murine NASH. We found that BLI alleviates NASH partly by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway of signaling. Given its hepatoprotective effects and non-toxic properties, BLI can be a novel and effective drug for NASH patients.

Organic chromium derived from the chelation of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide and chromium (III) alleviates metabolic syndromes and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet

Organic chromium is of great interest and has become an important chromium supplement resource in recent years because of its low toxicity and easy absorption. In our previous study, we synthesized a novel organic chromium [GLP-Cr] through the chelation of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide and chromium (III). The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of GLP-Cr on the improvement of metabolic syndromes (MetS) in mice fed with a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD) and its mechanism of action. The results indicated that oral administration of GLP-Cr inhibited the excessive exaltation of body weight, glucose tolerance, fasting blood glucose and lipid levels, hepatic total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) levels caused by HFHFD. Besides, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing showed that GLP-Cr intervention evidently ameliorated intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by changing the proportions of some intestinal microbial phylotypes. In addition, correlation network-based analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes were closely related to biochemical parameters associated with MetS under GLP-Cr intervention. Liver metabolomics analysis suggested that GLP-Cr intervention significantly regulated the levels of some biomarkers involved in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and so on. Moreover, GLP-Cr intervention regulated liver mRNA levels of key genes associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. The mRNA level of glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4) was markedly increased by GLP-Cr intervention, and the mRNA levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) in the liver were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, GLP-Cr intervention significantly decreased hepatic mRNA levels of cluster of differentiation 36 (Cd36), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (Acc1) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (Srebp-1c), indicating that GLP-Cr intervention inhibited the excessive accumulation of free fatty acids in the liver. These findings suggest that the prevention of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by GLP-Cr may be closely related to the regulation of gut microbial composition and hepatic metabolic pathways, thus GLP-Cr can be serving as a functional component in the prevention of MetS.

Puerarin ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats by regulating hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the public health problems globally. The occurrence of NAFLD is usually accompanied by a series of chronic metabolic diseases, with a prevalence rate is 25.24% among adults worldwide. Therefore, NAFLD seriously affects the quality of life in patients and causes a large economic burden. It has been reported that puerarin has the function of lowering the serum lipids, but due to the complexity of NAFLD, the specific mechanism of action has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive or ameliorating effects of two doses of puerarin (0.11% and 0.22% in diet) on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced NAFLD in rats. The rats were fed with HFFD-mixed puerarin for 20 weeks. The results showed that puerarin ameliorated the levels of lipids in the serum and liver. Further exploration of the mechanism found that puerarin ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD rats by reducing the expression of Srebf1, Chrebp, Acaca, Scd1, Fasn, Acacb, Cd36, Fatp5, Degs1, Plin2, and Apob100 and upregulating the expression of Mttp, Cpt1a, and Pnpla2. At the same time, after administration of puerarin, the levels of antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) were significantly increased in the serum and liver, and the contents of serum and hepatic inflammatory factors (interleukin-18, interleukins-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α) were clearly decreased. In addition, puerarin could ameliorate the liver function. Overall, puerarin ameliorated HFFD-induced NAFLD by modulating liver lipid accumulation, liver function, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Kinsenoside alleviates inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH mice by suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway

BackgroundNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has replaced viral hepatitis as the main driver of the rising morbidity and mortality associated with cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide, while no FDA-approved therapies are currently known. Kinsenoside (KD), naturally isolated from Anoectochilus roxburghii, possesses multiple biological activities, including lipolysis, anti-inflammation, and hepatoprotection. However, the effects of KD on NASH remain unclear. PurposeThis study aimed to explore the roles of KD in NASH and its engaged mechanisms. MethodsTwo typical animal models of NASH, mice fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet (representing non-obese NASH) and mice fed a high-fat and -fructose diet (HFFD) (representing obese NASH), were used to investigate the effect of KD on NASH in vivo. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of KD. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 cells and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-activated LX-2 cells were applied to further explore the effects and mechanisms of KD in vitro. ResultsThe intragastric administration of KD remarkably alleviated MCD/HFFD-induced murine NASH almost in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, KD reduced lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver of NASH mice. KD ameliorated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) abnormalities. In addition, it decreased the level of serum proinflammatory factors (IL-12p70, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, IFN-γ) and the hepatic expression of typical fibrosis-related molecules (α-SMA, Col-I, TIMP-1). Mechanically, KD attenuated the MCD/HFFD-induced NASH through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Consistently, KD reduced inflammation stimulated by LPS in THP-1 cells via suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. Furthermore, it prevented the activation of LX-2 cells directly, by inhibiting the proliferation stimulated by TGF-β1, and indirectly, by inactivating the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. ConclusionFor the first time, the practical improvement of NASH by KD was revealed. Our study found that KD exerted its alleviative effects on NASH through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Given its hepatoprotective and nontoxic properties, KD has the potential to be a novel and effective drug to treat NASH.

Dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) mediates chronic high‐fat and high‐fructose diet induced lung injury

Obesity is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple lung diseases. However, little is known about the effects of chronic high‐fat and high‐fructose (HFHF) diet‐induced obesity on lung inflammatory/injury. We have reported that dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) is important for high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity and adipose tissue inflammation. DOCK2 deficient mice were protected from HFD induced body weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased proinflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue and peripheral circulation. However, it remains elusive whether DOCK2 plays a role in lung injury associated with chronic HFHF diet‐induced obesity. In this study, we showed that chronic HFHF diet (20 weeks) induced lung inflammatory infiltration and collagen expression in the wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 mice. Macrophage marker CD68 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) expression were notably increased in the lungs of WT mice fed a HFHF diet. Further, HFHF diet increased lung DOCK2 expression that co‐localized with fibroblast‐specific protein 1, suggesting a potential role of DOCK2 in regulating proinflammatory phenotype of lung fibroblasts. Conversely, DOCK2 deficiency attenuated lung inflammation and fibrosis induced by chronic HFHF diet. In primary human lung fibroblast, TNF‐α and IL‐1β induced DOCK2 expression concurrent with MCP‐1, IL‐6, and matrix metalloproteinase‐2. DOCK2 knockdown also suppressed TNF‐α induced increase of these inflammatory mediators. Taken together, these findings suggest a previously unrecognized role of DOCK2 in mediating lung inflammation and fibrosis in chronic HFHF diet caused obesity.

Effect of Eucommia ulmoides leaves on hyperuricemia and kidney injury induced by a high-fat/high-fructose diet in rats.

Objective(s):To investigate the protective and preventive treatment effects of Eucommia ulmoides leaves on a rat model of high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) induced hyperuricemia and renal injury.Materials and Methods:Network pharmacology and molecular-docking methods were used to predict the effects and action mechanisms of the major components of E. ulmoides leaves on hyperuricemia. Combining literature collection, we used SciFinder and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) and Analysis Platform to collect E. ulmoides leaf flavonoid and iridoid components. Swiss Target Prediction, Similarity ensemble approach (SEA), GeneCards, and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database were used to obtain core targets, and the Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING) protein database was used as core target for gene ontology enrichment Set and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Molecular docking was applied to predict the pathways regulating the metabolism of uric acid. The selected targets and targeting efficacy were validated using a rat model of hyperuricemia and renal injury induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet.Results:A total of 32 chemical components with effective targets, which regulated the PI3K-AKT pathway and endocrine resistance, were collected. Molecular docking results showed that iridoids and flavonoids are bound to proteins related to inflammation and uric acid metabolism. In addition, it was verified via animal experiments that an E. ulmoides leaf extract ameliorated hyperuricemia, renal injury, and inflammation, which are closely related to the targets Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4), and Glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9). Conclusion: E. ulmoides leaf flavonoids and iridoids ameliorate hyperuricemia and uric-acid–induced inflammation through a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanism, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutics from E. ulmoides leaf components.

Chia seeds and chemical‐elicited sprouts supplementation ameliorates insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in obese rats

Chia seeds (CS) and sprouts are rich in bioactive compounds. This study aimed to assess the effects of germination and chemical elicitation (salicylic acid [SA]; hydrogen peroxide [H2 O2 ]) on proximate chemical, total phenolics compounds (TPC), non-extractable proanthocyanidins (NEPA), and carotenoids content of chia sprouts; besides, the effects of their supplementation on obesity-associated complications in rats fed with high-fat and fructose diet (HFFD) were evaluated. Protein, carbohydrate, TPC, NEPA, and carotenoids content were higher in sprouts than CS; elicitation enhanced TPC and carotenoids compared to non-elicited (NE) sprouts. CS, NE, and elicited chia sprouts ameliorated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia at the same level in HFFD-fed rats. NE and SA-chia sprouts exerted the biggest reduction in hepatic triglycerides, which could be partially related to inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity. In addition, SA elicitation induced the greatest effect on insulin levels and corporal weight. CS and their sprouts decreased obesity and its complication, mainly SA-elicited sprouts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity has led to the search for prevention and treatment through lifestyle changes, including the consumption of foods rich in bioactive compounds, such as seeds and their sprouts. Since sprouts contain higher concentrations of bioactive compounds and nutrients than seed, germination is a natural alternative to produce ready-to-eat functional foods. Chemical elicitation is a strategy to increase even more the bioactivity of sprouts. CS has been recognized for its beneficial health effects ameliorating dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. This study demonstrates that elicitation, with SA and H2 O2 , during germination of CS, increases the nutrient and phytochemical content of sprouts, with beneficial effects on body weight gain, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and prevention of NAFLD progression in diet-induced obese rats. Therefore, chia sprouts, natural and elicited, may be used as potential nutraceutical foods for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications.

Short-term administration of tibolone reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats fed high-fat and high-fructose

ABSTRACT Inflammation and oxidative stress are critical events involved in neurodegeneration. In animal models, it has been shown that chronic consumption of a hypercaloric diet, which leads to inflammatory processes, affects the hippocampus, a brain region fundamental for learning and memory processes. In addition, advanced age and menopause are risk factors for neurodegeneration. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ameliorates menopause symptoms. Tibolone (TB), a synthetic hormone, exerts estrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic effects on different tissues. We aimed to determine the effect of short-term TB administration on oxidative stress and inflammation markers in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat-and-fructose diet (HFFD). Adult female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and fed standard diet or HFFD—consisting of 10% lard supplemented chow and 20% high-fructose syrup in the drinking water—and administered vehicle or TB (1 mg/kg for seven days). Finally, we administered hormone receptor antagonists (MPP, RU486 or FLU) to each of the OVX + HFFD + TB groups. Bodyweight, triglycerides and cholesterol, oxidative stress and inflammation markers, and the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes were quantified in the hippocampus of each experimental group. We observed that short-term TB administration significantly reduced body weight, AGEs, MDA levels, increased SOD and GPx activity, improved GSH/GSSG ratio, and reduced IL-6 and TNF-α. Our findings suggest that short-term administration of TB decreases oxidative stress and reduces inflammation caused by HFFD and early estrogenic decline. These effects occurred via estrogen receptor alpha.

Chlorogenic Acid Ameliorates High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet-Induced Cognitive Impairment via Mediating the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) displays cognition-improving properties, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, CGA supplementation (150 mg/kg body weight) for 14 weeks significantly prevented obesity and insulin resistance, cognitive-behavioral disturbances, and synaptic dysfunction induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD). Moreover, CGA supplementation enhanced the expression of genes enriched in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway and reduced inflammatory factor expressions. Furthermore, CGA treatment increased gut microbiota diversity and the level of bacterial genera producing SCFAs. CGA also decreased the concentration of energy metabolism substrates, while it increased phosphorylcholine. Finally, we observed a significant correlation among synaptic transmission genes, gut microbiota, and neurotransmission in the CGA supplementation group by targeted multiomics analysis. Together, our results supported that the alteration of gut microbiota and metabolite composition is the underlying mechanism of CGA improving cognitive function. CGA is also a promising intervention strategy to prevent HFFD-induced cognitive impairment.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Flour and Oil Ameliorate Metabolic Disorders in the Liver of Rats Fed a High-Fat and High Fructose Diet.

We hypothesized that the consumption of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour (CF) and chia oil (CO) improves metabolic disorders in the liver of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) fed a high-fat and high-fructose (HFHF) diet. The animals were fed a HFHF diet (n = 30) or AIN93-M standard diet (n = 10) for eight weeks. After this period, the animals fed HFHF were divided into three groups (n = 10): HFHF diet, HFHF plus 14.7% of CF, and HFHF plus 4% of CO. Histological and biochemical analyses, gene expression, protein levels related to inflammation, and oxidative stress were evaluated in the liver. The HFHF diet caused lipogenesis, liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the animals. The CF and CO intake increased the liver total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase, decreased nitric oxide levels and liver steatosis. Furthermore, the CF and CO led to the upregulation of Cpt1a and Adipor2, respectively, whereas CF downregulated Srebf1. CO intake decreased blood glucose, triglycerides, and the animals’ body weight. Chia did not show effects on mitigating liver pro-inflammatory status, which it may indicate occurs later. The addition of chia into an unbalanced diet is a good and relevant strategy to reduce liver metabolic disorders caused by the high consumption of fructose and saturated fat.

Intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics insights into the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet

In recent years, organic chromium (III) supplements have received increasing attentions for their low toxicity, high bioavailability and wide range of health-promoting benefits. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast (YCr) on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice, and further clarify its mechanism of action from the perspective of intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics. The results indicated that oral administration of YCr remarkably inhibited the aberrant elevations of body weight, blood glucose and lipid levels, hepatic cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels caused by HFHFD. Liver histological examination showed that oral YCr intervention inhibited HFHFD induced liver lipid accumulation. Besides, 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing showed that YCr intervention was beneficial to ameliorating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by altering the proportion of some intestinal microbial phylotypes. Correlation-based network analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes intervened by YCr were closely related to some biochemical parameters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that dietary YCr intervention significantly regulated the levels of some biomarkers involved in purine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, citrate cycle, pyrimidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and so on. Moreover, dietary YCr intervention regulated the mRNA levels of key genes associated with glucose, cholesterol, fatty acids and bile acids metabolism in liver. These findings suggest that dietary YCr intervention has beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic pathway, and thus can be served as a functional component to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

Synbiotic goat milk kefir improves health status in rats fed a high-fat and high-fructose diet.

Background and Aim:Kefir, a natural probiotic containing bacteria and yeast, is a fermented milk product, whereas glucomannan from porang tuber (Amorphophallus oncophyllus) is prebiotic in vivo. Simvastatin is a potent lipid-lowering statin that can be utilized for pharmacological therapy in obesity. This study aimed to determine the effect of goat milk kefir supplemented with porang glucomannan (synbiotic kefir) and goat milk kefir without glucomannan (probiotic kefir) on blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), free fatty acids (FFAs), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg), and insulin-producing cells in rats fed a high-fat and high-fructose (HFHF) diet.Materials and Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five dietary groups: (1) Normal control, (2) rats fed HFHF, (3) rats fed HFHF+probiotic kefir, (4) rats fed HFHF+synbiotic kefir, and (5) rats fed HFHF+simvastatin. All of these treatments were administered for 4 weeks.Results:There were no significant differences in plasma glucose levels in HFHF diet-fed rats before and after treatment. However, plasma HbA1c and TNF-α decreased, and FFAs were inhibited in rats after treatment with synbiotic kefir. Synbiotic kefir decreased the gene expression of PPARγ2 in HFHF diet-fed rats but did not affect the total number of islets of Langerhans and insulin-producing cells.Conclusion:Synbiotic kefir improved the health of rats fed an HFHF diet by decreasing HbA1c, TNF-α, and PPARγ2 gene expression and preventing an increase in FFAs.