Donepezil Prevents Inhibition of Cerebral Energetic Metabolism Without Altering Behavioral Parameters in Animal Model of Obesity

Combination of Gold Nanoparticles with Carnitine Attenuates Brain Damage in an Obesity Animal Model

Obesity causes inflammation in the adipose tissue and can affect the central nervous system, leading to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, it becomes necessary to seek new therapeutic alternatives. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could take carnitine to the adipose tissue, thus increasing fatty acid oxidation, reducing inflammation, and, consequently, restoring brain homeostasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of GNPs associated with carnitine on the neurochemical parameters of obesity-induced mice. Eighty male Swiss mice that received a normal lipid diet (control group) or a high-fat diet (obese group) for 10 weeks were used. At the end of the sixth week, the groups were divided for daily treatment with saline, GNPs (70 µg/kg), carnitine (500 mg/kg), or GNPs associated with carnitine, respectively. Body weight was monitored weekly. At the end of the tenth week, the animals were euthanized and the mesenteric fat removed and weighed; the brain structures were separated for biochemical analysis. It was found that obesity caused oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain structures. Treatment with GNPs isolated reduced oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Carnitine isolated decreased the accumulation of mesenteric fat and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. The combination of treatments reduced the accumulation of mesenteric fat and mitochondrial dysfunction in the striatum. Therefore, these treatments in isolation, become a promising option for the treatment of obesity.

Combined Ingestion of Tea Catechin and Citrus β-Cryptoxanthin Improves Liver Function via Adipokines in Chronic Obesity

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of obese individuals, which has elevated the risk of related diseases. Although several studies have been performed to develop a definitive treatment for obesity, no solution has yet been achieved. Recent evidence suggests that tea catechins possess antiobesity effects; however, an impractical amount of catechin may be required to achieve antiobesity effects in humans. Moreover, studies are yet to elucidate the effects of the combined treatment of tea catechins with other substances. Here, we investigated the synergistic effects of catechins and β-cryptoxanthin in high-calorie diet-induced mice. Combined treatment with catechins and β-cryptoxanthin significantly suppressed obesity-induced weight gain and adipocyte size and area, restoring serum parameters to normal. Additionally, combined treatment with catechins and β-cryptoxanthin suppressed inflammatory responses in adipocytes, restored adiponectin levels to normal, protected the liver against obesity-induced damage, and restored normal liver function. Moreover, activin E level was restored to normal, possibly affecting the energy metabolism of brown adipocytes. Overall, these results suggest that the combined ingestion of tea catechins and β-cryptoxanthin was not only effective against obesity but may also help to prevent obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of aerobic exercise training in oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis markers on prefrontal cortex in obese mice

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of Aerobic Physical Training (AET) on the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative balance in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) of leptin deficiency-induced obese mice (ob/ob mice).

METHODS

Then, the mice were submitted to an 8-week protocol of aerobic physical training (AET) at moderate intensity (60% of the maximum running speed). In the oxidative stress, we analyzed Malonaldehyde (MDA) and Carbonyls, the enzymatic activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione S Transferase (GST), non-enzymatic antioxidant system: reduced glutathione (GSH), and Total thiols. Additionally, we evaluated the gene expression of PGC-1α SIRT-1, and ATP5A related to mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

RESULTS

In our study, we did not observe a significant difference in MDA (p = 0.2855), Carbonyl's (p = 0.2246), SOD (p = 0.1595), and CAT (p = 0.6882) activity. However, the activity of GST (p = 0.04), the levels of GSH (p = 0.001), and Thiols (p = 0.02) were increased after 8 weeks of AET. Additionally, there were high levels of PGC-1α (p = 0.01), SIRT-1 (p = 0.009), and ATP5A (p = 0.01) gene expression after AET in comparison with the sedentary group.

CONCLUSIONS

AET for eight weeks can improve antioxidant defense and increase the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT-1, and ATP5A in PFC of ob/ob mice.

Neural Underpinnings of Obesity: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Brain

Obesity prevalence is increasing at an unprecedented rate throughout the world, and is a strong risk factor for metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological/neurodegenerative disorders. While low-grade systemic inflammation triggered primarily by adipose tissue dysfunction is closely linked to obesity, inflammation is also observed in the brain or the central nervous system (CNS). Considering that the hypothalamus, a classical homeostatic center, and other higher cortical areas (e.g. prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, hippocampus, etc.) also actively participate in regulating energy homeostasis by engaging in inhibitory control, reward calculation, and memory retrieval, understanding the role of CNS oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity and their underlying mechanisms would greatly help develop novel therapeutic interventions to correct obesity and related comorbidities. Here we review accumulating evidence for the association between ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, the main culprits responsible for oxidative stress and inflammation in various brain regions, and energy imbalance that leads to the development of obesity. Potential beneficial effects of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds on CNS health and obesity are also discussed.