Metabolic Parameters In Rats Research Articles

Effects of black mulberry leaf extract on liver health and metabolic parameters in rats with high-fat diet-induced liver changes

AimNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) lacks a definitive treatment. Previous research indicates that fruits and vegetables may alleviate inflammatory markers and improve NAFLD outcomes. This study investigates the effects of black mulberry leaf extract on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats. MethodsMale rats were randomized into control and high-fat diet groups. After four months on a high-fat diet, rats received black mulberry leaf extract at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg for eight weeks. Evaluations included weight, blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and liver enzyme activities (AST, ALT). ResultsThe high-fat diet resulted in increased weight (P < 0.0001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.0001), triglycerides (P = 0.031), and total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), along with elevated serum levels of AST (P < 0.0001) and ALT (P = 0.009). Administration of black mulberry leaf extract significantly reduced weight (P = 0.008), FPG (P < 0.0001), total cholesterol (P = 0.0001), and ALT (P = 0.0001) and AST (P = 0.0001) levels in a dose-dependent manner at doses of 600 mg, 300 mg, and 150 mg per day. ConclusionBlack mulberry leaf extract exhibits therapeutic potential in managing NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to comprehensively assess its impacts.

Obesity as Inducer of Cognitive Function Decline via Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota in Rats.

Diet-induced obesity is a global phenomenon that affects the population worldwide with manifestations at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels. Cognitive function decline is a major global health challenge. The relation between obesity and cognitive function is a debatable issue. The main goal of the current research was to study the implications of obesity on cognitive function and gut microbiota diversity and its impact on plasma and brain metabolic parameters in rats. Obesity was induced in rats by feeding on a high-fat (HF) or a high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet. The results reveal that both the HF (0.683) and HFHS (0.688) diets were effective as obesity inducers, which was confirmed by a significant increase in the body mass index (BMI). Both diet groups showed dyslipidemia and elevation of oxidative stress, insulin resistance (IR), and inflammatory markers with alterations in liver and kidney functions. Obesity led to a reduction in cognitive function through a reduction in short-term memory by 23.8% and 30.7% in the rats fed HF and HFHS diets, respectively, and learning capacity and visuo-spatial memory reduced by 8.9 and 9.7 s in the rats fed an HF or HFHS diet, respectively. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Spirochaetes phyla were detected. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B) significantly decreased in the HF group, while it increased in the HFHS group compared to the normal control. The two species, Bacteroides acidifaciens and Bacteroides ovatus, which are associated with IR, were drastically compromised by the high-fat/high-sucrose diet. Some species that have been linked to reduced inflammation showed a sharp decrease in the HFHS group, while Prevotella copri, which is linked to carbohydrate metabolism, was highly enriched. In conclusion: Obesity led to cognitive impairment through changes in short-term and visuo-spatial memory. A metagenomic analysis revealed alterations in the abundance of some microbial taxa associated with obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance in the HF and HFHS groups.

Differential benefits of physical training associated or not with l-arginine supplementation in rats with metabolic syndrome: Evaluation of cardiovascular, autonomic and metabolic parameters

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by endocrine-metabolic and cardiac alterations that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Dietary supplementation with l-Arginine (L-Arg) is beneficial for fat loss, while chronic aerobic exercise has several benefits in reversing cardiovascular, autonomic, and metabolic dysfunctions caused by obesity. However, the association between these two approaches has not yet been described. This study aimed to evaluate the possible benefits of physical training, with or without l-Arg-supplementation, on cardiovascular, autonomic, and metabolic parameters in rats with MetS, which was induced by the subcutaneous administration of monosodium glutamate at 4 mg g−1day−1 in rats from the first to fifth day of life. Physical training on a treadmill and supplementation with l-Arg-in adulthood were carried out concomitantly for 8 weeks. After this, the animals underwent femoral artery catheterization to record their cardiovascular parameters and autonomic modulation. Organs and blood were removed to measure levels of nitrite, glucose, and hepatic steatosis. In adult rats with MetS, supplementation with l-Arg-in combination with physical training reduced hypertension, tachycardia, adipose tissue mass, free fatty acids, and hepatic steatosis. Supplementation with l-Arg-and physical training separately was beneficial in reducing several aspects of MetS, but a combination of both was especially effective in reducing adipose tissue and hepatic steatosis. Together, the two therapies can form a good strategy to combat MetS.

The Potential of Spent Coffee Grounds in Functional Food Development

Coffee is a popular and widely consumed beverage worldwide, with epidemiological studies showing reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, few studies have investigated the health effects of the post-brewing coffee product, spent coffee grounds (SCG), from either hot- or cold-brew coffee. SCG from hot-brew coffee improved metabolic parameters in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome and improved gut microbiome in these rats and in humans; further, SCG reduced energy consumption in humans. SCG contains similar bioactive compounds as the beverage including caffeine, chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, polyphenols and melanoidins, with established health benefits and safety for human consumption. Further, SCG utilisation could reduce the estimated 6-8 million tonnes of waste each year worldwide from production of coffee as a beverage. In this article, we explore SCG as a major by-product of coffee production and consumption, together with the potential economic impacts of health and non-health applications of SCG. The known bioactive compounds present in hot- and cold-brew coffee and SCG show potential effects in cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease and metabolic disorders. Based on these potential health benefits of SCG, it is expected that foods including SCG may moderate chronic human disease while reducing the environmental impact of waste otherwise dumped in landfill.

Highly Palatable and Hypercaloric Foods Chronic Intake Impair Food Control

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of soft drink and/or cafeteria diet consumption on eating behavior and metabolic parameters in rats. Material and Methods: Two months male Wistar rats were treated for twelve weeks, divided into groups: 1) CON: standard chow and water (SCW); 2) CD: cafeteria diet and SCW; 3) CS: caloric soft drink and SCW; 4) NCS: non-caloric soft drink and SCW; 5) CD+CS: cafeteria diet, caloric soft drink and SCW; and 6) CD+NCS: cafeteria diet, non-caloric soft drink and SCW. Results: The cafeteria diet intake resulted in higher energy consumption (p&lt;0.0001), a lipid consumption increase (p&lt;0.0001), and a protein reduction intake (p&lt;0.0001), which contributed to an increase in body weight (p&lt;0.0001) compared to the controls. The CD+NCS group visceral fat reduction may be related to a 17% reduction in sugar consumption, compared to the CD+CS group, and to the soda's caffeine content, with less insulinogenic effect. Conclusion: The animals who received the cafeteria diet consumed more ultra-processed foods, resulting in increased energy consumption, greater weight gain, and visceral fat. On the other hand, animals who received cafeteria diet and non-caloric soft drinks showed a reduction in visceral fat levels compared to the other cafeteria diet groups.

Changes in Metabolic Parameters of Rats in Different Age Periods After Prenatal Stress

INTRODUCTION: Currently, biomedical specialists give special attention to studying the influence of stressogenic factors on an organism of a pregnant woman, the embryonic development of the fetus and the subsequent development of offspring in the early and late ontogenesis. It has been found in a number of studies that prenatal stress can lead to reduction of physical activity and hormonal disorders. The factors leading to disorders in regulation of immune and metabolic homeostasis have been identified. Despite considerable interest in the study of the consequences of prenatal stress, its impact on changes in metabolic intensity in different periods of postnatal ontogenesis in animals of different genders has not been sufficiently studied.&#x0D; AIM: To study parameters of metabolism intensity in different age periods of postnatal ontogenesis in rats offspring of both genders after intrauterine stress load.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stress load was modeled in daily forced swimming of pregnant rats at 1012C for 5 min. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion (ml/h/kg), and heat exchange (kcal/h/kg) in male and female rats were determined using a Phenomaster automated modular unit (TSE Systems GmbH, Germany) on the 21st, 30th and 60th day of the ontogenesis. Statistical significance of differences between the studied parameters was assessed using Mann-Whitney U-test for independent groups.&#x0D; RESULTS: The study parameters of intact animals practically did not differ in the suckling (the 21st day) and infantile period (the 30th day), but significantly decreased in the juvenile period of development (the 60th day). It was found that the intrauterine stress did not lead to statistically significant changes in the absolute values of metabolic parameters as compared to the control, but affected the period of appearance of age-related variations of these parameters in male rats. In these animals, the volumes of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide excretion, and the level of heat radiation reduced as early as in the infantile period (as compared to 21-day-old rats) and reached the minimum level by the 60th day of the postnatal ontogenesis. In female rats subjected to intrauterine stress, changes in the study parameters in different periods of life were similar to those of intact animals.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Therefore, prenatal stress modeled by swimming of female parents in cold water, has a modulating effect on age-related dynamics of metabolic parameters of male rats, which was manifested by the decrease in these parameters in the earlier period of development.

Dietary Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Alleviates the Liver Injury Induced by Long-Term High-Fat Diets in Sprague Dawley Rats.

In mammals, the liver is the most important organ that plays a vital function in lipid metabolism. Grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSPE) is a kind of natural polyphenolic compound primarily obtained from grape skin and seeds. Recent research found it had high bioavailability in defending against obesity, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory, oxidative stress, and targeting liver tissue. However, the mechanism of GSPE in regulating obesity induced by dietary high-fat (HF) was not fully understood, particularly the influences on liver functions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of GSPE supplementation on the liver function and lipid metabolic parameters in rats fed HF diets long-term. A total of 40 healthy female Sprague Dawley rats were selected. After 8 weeks of obesity model feeding, the rats were randomly divided into four treatments: NC, standard diet; NC + GSPE, standard diet + 500 mg/kg body weight GSPE; HF, high-fat diet; HG + GSPE, high fat diet + 500 mg/kg body weight GSPE. Results indicated that long-term HF feeding caused severe liver problems including megalohepatia, steatosis, inflammation, and hepatocyte apoptosis. The supplementation of GSPE alleviated these symptoms. The results of the current experiment confirmed that GSPE addition up-regulated the expression of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby restraining the liver cell endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, the microRNA-103 may play a role in this signal-regulated pathway. In summary, GSPE had a protective effect on the liver and the current experiment provided a reference for the application of GSPE in animal nutrition as a kind of natural feed additive.

Effect of Ndonga (Paste of Mixed Spices) on Some Metabolic Parameters in Rats Fed With a High-Calorie Diet

ObjectivesThe beneficial role of spices on health has long been proven. In Cameroon, spices are mostly been consumed as a mixture added in meal preparations not for their health benefits but for their capacity to enhance the taste or the flavour of the meals. Therefore, associating the health advantages with the culinary properties will make it possible to better valorize these spices largely consumed by Cameroonian populations. Thus the present work aimed at evaluating the effect of Ndonga (a paste of mixed spices) on some biological parameters in rats fed with a high-calorie diet. MethodsThe paste was purchased from a local manufacturer and vendor in Kumbe-Bakundu, South-West Region, Cameroon. Part of the spice mixture was macerated in distilled water (1:6w/v) for 24 h and the filtrate was used to assess for bioactive compounds. The other part was used to supplement at 5 and 10% a High-fat high sucrose diet (HFHSD) used to feed rats (treated groups). The experimentation included a rat group fed with a normal diet (ND) and a positive control group fed with no supplemented HFHSD. Body weight was registered for all rats throughout the experimental period that lasted 28 days. Fasting blood and organs collected from rats were used for biochemical assays. ResultsBioactive molecules such as polyphenols and flavonoids were present in the prepared aqueous extract. Total antioxidant capacity and DPPH scavenging capacity were both found to be more important in the acidified water extract. In vivo results revealed that weight gain was least important (+3, 05%) in the group supplemented with 10% Ndonga compared to all the other groups (P < 0.05) as well as a lower triglyceride level (69,2 ± 9,31 mg/dL) (p< 0.05). Apart from the normal group where food consumption was lowest, food intake was similar in all groups. HDL-cholesterol level was higher in the group supplemented with 5% Ndonga (P < 0.05). Liver and kidney parameters were found to be ameliorated in supplemented groups. ConclusionsSupplementation of meals with Ndonga can ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders and thus prevent atherogenic risk. Funding SourcesThe present work did not receive any funding.

Green Coffee Bean Extract Normalize Obesity-Induced Alterations of Metabolic Parameters in Rats by Upregulating Adiponectin and GLUT4 Levels and Reducing RBP-4 and HOMA-IR.

Obesity is a serious public health issue worldwide. Finding safe and efficacious products to reverse obesity has proven to be a difficult challenge. This study showed the effects of Coffea arabica or green coffee bean extract (GCBE) on obesity disorders and the improvement of obesity-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. The active constituents of GCBE were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography. Twenty-four male albino Wistar rats were divided into two groups. The first group (Group I) was fed a control diet, whereas the second group was fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for eight weeks till obesity induction. The second group was equally subdivided into Group II, which received HFD, and Group III, which received HFD + GCBE for another eight weeks. The body and organ weights of the animals were measured, and blood and adipose tissue samples were collected for analysis. The results indicated that the administration of GCBE significantly decreased the body and organ weights. Furthermore, it had an ameliorative effect on serum biochemical parameters. It dramatically reduced total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and insulin levels. In addition, an improvement in homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and an enhancement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed compared with the HFD group. In addition, the group treated with GCBE exhibited a marked increase in serum levels of adiponectin (an anti-inflammatory adipokine). In addition, a considerable reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy was found following GCBE treatment. Remarkably, the administration of GCBE resulted in a remarkable decrease in the expression of RBP4 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), whereas an increase in GLLUT4 expression was observed in the adipose tissue. This improved insulin resistance in GCBE-administered HFD rats compared with other HFD rats. Our study showed that GCBE exhibits anti-obesity activity and may be used as a natural supplement to prevent and treat obesity and its associated disorders.

Acute and Chronic Effects of Intermittent Ketosis Established by Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplementation on Cognitive and Metabolic Parameters in Rats

Acute and Chronic Effects of Intermittent Ketosis Established by Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplementation on Cognitive and Metabolic Parameters in Rats

Grape pomace supplementation attenuates metabolic parameters in subjects with overweight and obesity

Rationale: Grape pomace (GP) is a waste product obtained after the winemaking process, which contains relatively high amounts of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and dietary fiber. We previously showed that Malbec GP supplementation improves metabolic parameters in rats with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate weather GP supplementation could improve lipid profile and others metabolic parameters in overweight and obese subjects.

Динамика метаболических показателей у крыс на разных стадиях постстрессорного периода в условиях антигенного воздействия при введении липополисахарида

The dynamics of parameters for the intensity of metabolic processes in rats was studied after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 µg/kg) by the end of a single exposure to long-term stress on the model of 24-h immobilization. The volumes of consumed oxygen and expired carbon dioxide, as well as the level of heat emission, were evaluated on a Phenomaster automated module device (TSE Systems GmbH, Germany) 3 h and 1 or 8 days after the treatment. Study parameters of metabolism in animals of the physiological saline group were shown to increase significantly 1 day after restraint stress. The observed variations illustrate intensification of metabolic processes in rats during the early period after experimental stress. These changes persisted even in the delayed stage after stress load (day 8 of observations). The specimens receiving LPS were characterized by a rise in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide expiration, and level of heat exchange on day 1 of the post-stress period. On day 8 after stress load with the subsequent immune modulation, metabolic parameters in rats were revealed to decrease and did not differ from those in intact animals. Therefore, the antigenic treatment by systemic administration of LPS has no effect on a stress-induced activation of metabolic processes at the early stage of observations, but prevents a persistent increase in the intensity of metabolism during the delayed post-stress period. Our results and published data suggest that the influence of LPS, which possesses immunoactive properties, is related to the modulatory effect on neuroendocrine mechanisms for regulation of homeostasis in mammals, e.g., under stress conditions.

Adult female rats perinatally exposed to perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and a mixture of endocrine disruptors display increased body/fat weights without a transcriptional footprint in fat cells

Obesity is a complex disease with many causes, including a possible role for environmental chemicals. Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) is one of many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) frequently detected in humans and it is suspected to be an obesogenic compound. We examined the potential long-term effects of PFHxS on metabolic parameters in rats after developmental exposure to 0.05, 5 or 25 mg/kg bw/day, with or without co-exposure to a background mixture of twelve endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDmix). Both male and female offspring showed signs of lower birth weight following intrauterine exposure. Female offspring exposed to both PFHxS and EDmix had increased body weight in adulthood. The retroperitoneal fat pad was larger in the PFHxS-exposed female offspring when compared to those exposed to EDmix alone. An attempt to detect putative molecular markers in the fat tissue by performing whole transcriptome profiling revealed no significant changes between groups and there were no significant effects on plasma leptin levels in exposed females. Our results show that early life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can influence body weight later in life, but the effect is not necessarily reflected in changed gene expression in the fat tissue.

Differential effects of maternal diets on birth outcomes and metabolic parameters in rats after ethanol consumption during pregnancy.

Maternal nutrition status plays an important role in the development of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), but its direct evidence is lacking. This study compared a standard chow with a semi-purified energy-dense (E-dense) diet on birth and metabolic outcomes in rats after ethanol (EtOH) consumption during pregnancy. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised into four groups: chow (n 6), chow+EtOH (20 %, v/v) (n 7), E-dense (n 6) and E-dense+EtOH (n 8). Birth outcomes including litter size, body and organ weights were collected. Metabolic parameters were measured in dams and pups at postnatal day (PD) 7. Maternal EtOH consumption decreased body weights (P < 0·0001) and litter sizes (P < 0·05) in chow-fed dams. At PD7, pups born to dams fed the E-dense diet had higher body (P < 0·002) and liver weights (P < 0·0001). These pups also had higher plasma total cholesterol (P < 0·0001), TAG (P < 0·003) and alanine aminotransferase (P < 0·03) compared with those from chow-fed dams. Dams fed the E-dense diet had higher plasma total (P < 0·0001) and HDL-cholesterol (P < 0·0001) and lower glucose (P < 0·0001). EtOH increased total cholesterol (P < 0·03) and glucose (P < 0·05) only in dams fed the E-dense diet. Maternal exposure to the E-dense diet attenuated prenatal EtOH-induced weight loss and produced different metabolic outcomes in both dams and pups. While the long-lasting effects of these outcomes are unknown, this study highlights the importance of maternal diet quality for maternal health and infant growth and suggests that maternal nutrition intervention may be a potential target for alleviating FASD.

Anti-diabetic Effect of Acridocarpus Orientalis

Background: Acridocarpus orientalis (AO) is a medicinal herb indigenous to tropical and subtropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and New Caledonia with reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Objective: To determine whether AO has any beneficial effects on diabetes-induced metabolic parameters in rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Wistar rats by streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with three doses of AO extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg BW) for 30 days. Kidney, liver, and pancreatic tissue samples were processed for histopathology to determine the effect of AO on the cells of these organs. The effect of AO on pancreatic islet cells and serum insulin levels was also examined using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, respectively. Results: AO (100 mg/kg BW) caused a marked reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats compared to diabetic control on day 10 of the study. Moreover, AO (200 mg/kg BW) increased the number of insulin-positive cells with a concomitant reduction in the number of glucagon-immunoreactive cells in pancreatic islets. AO (100 mg/kg) also increased the serum level of superoxide dismutase significantly. Although the administration of AO was able to significantly decrease the diabetes-associated increases in serum creatinine and bilirubin levels, it had no effect on blood urea nitrogen, serum aspartate, or alanine aminotransferase levels. Histopathological examination showed that AO has no toxic effect on the structure of the pancreas, liver, and kidney. Conclusion: Our findings showed that AO could alleviate some complications of diabetes mellitus.

Functional mechanism of AMPK activation in mitochondrial regeneration of rat peritoneal macrophages mediated by uremic serum.

To investigate the effects of AMPK activation on mitochondrial inhibition by uremic serum through the AMPK-activated rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated by uremic serum, thereby providing a reference for the clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease. Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were included as experimental subjects. Fifteen rats were constructed into chronic kidney disease models (the model group). The remaining seven rats only received renal capsule stripping instead of nephrectomy (the sham-operated group). Ten weeks after model construction, the bodyweight, blood biochemical indicators, and metabolic parameters of rats in groups were measured. Meanwhile, the expression of the M1 phenotype marker protein in peritoneal macrophages was determined. Ten weeks after model construction, the bodyweight of rats in the model group was significantly lower than that in the sham-operated group. The values of urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (P<0.01). The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) of rats in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (P <0.01). After the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, the expressions of M1 phenotype marker mRNA in the model group was significantly increased. The expression of mitochondrial structural protein mRNA in the peritoneal macrophages of rats in the model group was significantly lower than that in the sham-operated group. The expression of M1 phenotype marker mRNA was significantly decreased in the uremic serum group after AMPK agonist (P<0.01). In rats with chronic renal insufficiency, mitochondrial regeneration was dysfunctional in macrophages. By activating AMPK, the inhibitory effect of uremia serum on mitochondrial regeneration of macrophages was improved. Therefore, AMPK was a critical factor that could regulate mitochondrial regeneration of macrophages.

Effects of Moro orange juice (Citrus sinensis (l.) Osbeck) on some metabolic and morphological parameters in obese and diabetic rats.

Nutritional intervention with the use of phytochemicals is an important method for the treatment and prevention of a metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to chemically characterize Moro orange juice. The influence of juice intake on metabolic parameters of rats that were obese, diabetic or both by means of body mass management after the activation of anthocyanins during refrigerated storage was also assessed. Juice intake reversed most of the metabolic abnormalities exhibited by obese rats, including reduction of body mass and improvement of the biochemical profile. The loss of body mass by diabetic animals and obese and diabetic animals was not attributed to juice intake, but to type I diabetes mellitus. In these animals, no improvement was observed in the biochemical profile, liver enzymes and glycemia, so this treatment model was deemed unfeasible. The beneficial effects cannot be explained only by the anthocyanin C3G present in the juice, but rather, by the synergism between all the components. Studies in humans are needed to determine whether the ingestion of this orange can be recommended as an effective strategy to prevent or ameliorate complications of obesity. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress ameliorates cardiovascular injury in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic (Met) syndrome is characterized by hypertension, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia with high risk of cardiovascular disease. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a key contributor in the pathogenesis of Met syndrome. The current study investigates the effect of Tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA), an ER stress inhibitor, on Met syndrome-induced cardiovascular complications and the possible underlying signalling mechanisms. Met syndrome was induced in rats, which were then treated with TUDCA. Body weight, blood pressure, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests were performed. ER stress, survival and oxidative stress markers were measured in heart and aorta tissue. The results showed that TUDCA improved metabolic parameters in rats with Met syndrome. Treatment mitigated the Met syndrome-induced cardiovascular complications through upregulating survival markers and downregulating ER and oxidative stress markers. These results highlight the protective effect of ER stress inhibition as a potential target in the management of cardiovascular complications associated with Met syndrome.

Selenium supplementation during pregnancy and lactation promotes metabolic changes in Wistar rats' offspring.

Epidemiological and animal studies have demonstrated a strong association between selenium (Se) supplementation and metabolic disorders, we aimed to evaluate whether maternal Se supplementation was able to change metabolic parameters in rats' offspring. Moreover, as Se is a deiodinase (DIO) cofactor, we decided to investigate how thyroid hormones (THs) would be involved in such metabolic changes. Thereby, two groups (n=6, ~250g) of female Wistar rats underwent isotonic saline or sodium selenite (1mg/kg, p.o.) treatments. Although there were no significant differences in body weight between groups, the Se treatment during pregnancy and lactation increased milk intake and the visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) in offspring. The rats whose mothers were treated with Se also presented an improvement in the glucose tolerance test and in the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Regarding the lipid metabolism, the Se group had a reduction of triglycerides in the liver and in WAT. These metabolic changes were accompanied by an increase in serum triiodothyronine (T3 ) and in DIO 2 expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT). We further demonstrate an increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) mRNA in the liver. In adulthood offspring, Se supplementation programs thyroid function, glucose homeostasis, and feeding behaviour. Taken together, there is no indication that Se programming causes insulin resistance. Moreover, we conjecture that these metabolic responses are induced by increased thyroxine (T4 ) to T3 conversion by DIO2 in BAT and mediated by altered transcription factors expression associated with oxidative metabolism control in the liver.

Anti-toll-like receptor 2 antibody ameliorates hepatic injury, inflammation, fibrosis and steatosis in obesity-related metabolic disorder rats via regulating MAPK and NF-κB pathways

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide, which includes a spectrum of histological liver changes. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered to be the progressive subtype of NAFLD, which is characterized by lobular inflammation and cellular ballooning on the basis of steatosis. There is a critical need to develop novel and effective therapeutic approaches for NAFLD/NASH. The activation of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) signaling pathway plays a key role in high-fat-related inflammation, triggering the occurrence and development of NASH. Herein, the anti-TLR2 monoclonal antibody (TLR2 mAb) was prepared and investigated for its ability to ameliorate the inflammatory response in vivo and in vitro. The anti-inflammatory role of TLR2 mAb in vitro was examined in NR8383 macrophage cells and THP-1 derived macrophage cells. For confirmation in vivo, three groups of SD rats were treated for 20 weeks: rats in the control were fed with a standard diet; rates in the IgG and TLR2 mAb groups were fed with a high-fat diet and with IgG or TLR2 mAb, respectively. Liver tissue and serum were collected for further analysis. Results showed that after 4-week treatment with TLR2 mAb, metabolic parameters in rats were improved markedly (body weight, fasting blood glucose level, liver steatosis, inflammatory response and fibrosis). Moreover, western blotting demonstrated that the TLR2 mAb blocked MAPKs and NF-κB activation, and inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors in rat liver tissue. These effects suggested that TLR2 mAb could improve HFD-induced hepatic injury, inflammation, fibrosis and steatosis by suppressing inflammatory response and regulating the hepatic MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. This suggests that TLR2 may be a novel therapeutic target for metabolic diseases especially NASH.