Grape seed and skin extract as an adjunct to xenical therapy reduces obesity, brain lipotoxicity and oxidative stress in high fat diet fed rats

Dietary Chitosan Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Inflammation in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) through Regulation of Nrf2/Kaep1 and Bcl-2/Bax Pathways

Fatty liver injury is a prevalent condition in most farmed fish, yet the molecular mechanisms underpinning this pathology remain largely elusive. A comprehensive feeding trial spanning eight weeks was conducted to discern the potential of dietary chitosan in mitigating the deleterious effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) while concurrently exploring the underlying mechanism. Growth performance, haemato-biochemical capacity, antioxidant capacity, apoptotic/anti-apoptotic gene expression, inflammatory gene expression, and histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, and intestine were meticulously assessed in Nile tilapia. Six experimental diets were formulated with varying concentrations of chitosan. The first three groups were administered a diet comprising 6% fat with chitosan concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10% and were designated as F6Ch0, F6Ch5, and F6Ch10, respectively. Conversely, the fourth, fifth, and sixth groups were fed a diet containing 12% fat with chitosan concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10%, respectively, for 60 days and were termed F12Ch0, F12Ch5, and F12Ch10. The results showed that fish fed an HFD demonstrated enhanced growth rates and a significant accumulation of fat in the perivisceral tissue, accompanied by markedly elevated serum hepatic injury biomarkers and serum lipid levels, along with upregulation of pro-apoptotic and inflammatory markers. In stark contrast, the expression levels of nrf2, sod, gpx, and bcl-2 were notably decreased when compared with the control normal fat group. These observations were accompanied by marked diffuse hepatic steatosis, diffuse tubular damage, and shortened intestinal villi. Intriguingly, chitosan supplementation effectively mitigated the aforementioned findings and alleviated intestinal injury by upregulating the expression of tight junction-related genes. It could be concluded that dietary chitosan alleviates the adverse impacts of an HFD on the liver, kidney, and intestine by modulating the impaired antioxidant defense system, inflammation, and apoptosis through the variation in nrf2 and cox2 signaling pathways.

Melatonin associated with a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation prevents liver changes in the offspring

In the present study, we set out to determine whether melatonin combined with a high-fat diet during pregnancy and lactation can prevent liver disorders in offspring. Forty rats were divided into four groups: DC - pregnant rats submitted to the standard diet; DC + Mel - pregnant rats submitted to the standard diet combined with melatonin; HFD - pregnant rats submitted to a high-fat diet; HFD + Mel - pregnant rats submitted to a high-fat diet combined with melatonin. Morphophysiological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Melatonin (5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally. The HFD group offspring showed an increase in AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels, and a reduction in HDL and lipase levels. In the liver obseved steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning, increased lobular parenchyma and reduced non-lobular parenchyma, beside reduced liver glycogen and fibrosis. These changes were not observed in the HFD + Mel group. In conclusion, melatonin combined with a high-fat diet preserves the liver architecture and function in the offspring.

The Protective Role of Grape Seed in Obesity and Lipid Profile: An Updated Narrative Overview of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Obesity and dyslipidemia are common disorders universally. According to the acquired outcomes of recent studies, dietary supplementations which have great content of phenolic compounds exert protective effects against obesity and dyslipidemia. Grape [Vitis vinifera] seeds are considered attractive sources of phenolic compounds with anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects. There are also various experimental studies describing hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-aging, cardioprotective, and anti-carcinogenic effects of polyphenols isolated from grape seed, highlighting the therapeutic and biological aspects of proanthocyanidins. The present review article first discusses pharmacological, botanical, toxicological, and phytochemical characteristics of Vitis vinifera seeds and afterward designates the protective properties which are attributed to the intake of grape seeds in obesity and hyperlipidemia. Overall valuable and updated findings of this study display that polyphenol of grape seeds has meaningful impacts on the regulation of lipid profile levels and management of obesity.

Variations in nutritional quality and fatty acids composition of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) during canning process in grape seed and olive oils

Fish canning industries generally use different oils to ensure the juicing stage of canned sardines. In this context, we tested the use of grape seed oil (GSO) which could provide several health benefits to consumers. This study compared its effects on the quality of canned sardine to that of olive oil (OO). Total polyphenols, flavonoids and non flavonoids of the tested GSO were significantly higher than those of the OO. Also, The GSO was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), namely linoleic acid (65.36% of total fatty acids). The use of GSO in the sardine sardines canning process increased significantly fat, protein and ash contents after 90 days of conservation. The fatty acid profile was dominated by PUFA for all the tested samples. Docosahexaenoic acid was the most abundant unsaturated fatty acid, followed by linoleic acid in GSO samples (20.86 ± 0.06% compared to 1.46 ± 0.05% in fresh sardine) and oleic acid in OO samples. Both atherogenic and thrombogenic indices decreased after the canning process in OO and GSO to less than 1. Thus GSO seems to improve the lipid nutritional quality in fresh sardine. In addition, the values for thiobarbituric acid and Total volatile base nitrogen did not exceed critical limits.

Grape seed and skin extract, a potential prebiotic with anti-obesity effect through gut microbiota modulation

Background

Obesity is a worldwide health problem and a significant risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Gut microbiota (GM) plays an essential role in obesity, and prebiotics such as polyphenols could be one way to improve microbial dysbiosis-induced obesity.

Objective

This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE), and/or orlistat on obese rats fed with high fat diet by targeting GM modulations. The impact of treatments was also studied in non-obese rats.

Material and methods

Rats were rendered obese or kept with a standard diet for three months. Then they were treated either with GSSE or orlistat or with the combined treatment (GSOR) during three months and then sacrificed. Adipose tissues, blood and faeces were collected and analyzed.

Results

In obese rats and to a lesser extent in non-obese rats, treatments decreased the weight of various adipose tissues and the serum levels of cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, lipase, and CRP and increased HDL and adiponectin. GSOR treatment was even more efficient that orlistat. Obese rats had less GM diversity than non-obese rats and orlistat reduced it even more. However, diversity was restored with GSSE and GSOR treatments. Potential pathogenic Streptococcus alactolyticus/gallolyticus species were greatly increased in obese rats and drastically reduced with the treatments, as wells as other potential pathobionts.

Conclusions

GSSE exerts beneficial effects in obese rats and restores, at least partially, the observed dysbiosis. GSOR induced the highest beneficial effect. Moreover, the various treatments could also enhance physiological and GM modifications in non obese rats.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13099-022-00505-0.

A Comprehensive Review on Anti-obesity Potential of Medicinal Plants and their Bioactive Compounds

Background:

Obesity is a complex health and global epidemic issue. It is an increasing global health challenge covering significant social and economic costs. Abnormal accumulation of fat in the body may increase the health risks including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancer. Synthetic drugs available on the market reported to have several side effects. Therefore, the management of obesity got to involve the traditional use of medicinal plants which helps to search the new therapeutic targets and supports the research and development of anti-obesity drugs.

Objective:

This review aim to update the data and provide a comprehensive report of currently available knowledge of medicinal plants and phyto-chemical constituents reported for their anti-obesity activity.

Methodology:

An electronic search of the periodical databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, Niscair, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar with information reported the period 1991-2019, was used to retrieve published data.

Results:

A comprehensive report of the present review manuscript is an attempt to list the medicinal plants with anti-obesity activity. The review focused on plant extracts, isolated chemical compounds with their mechanism of action and their preclinical experimental model, clinical studies for further scientific research.

Conclusion:

This review is the compilation of the medicinal plants and their constituents reported for the managements of obesity. The data will fascinate the researcher to initiate further research that may lead to the drug for the management of obesity and their associated secondary complications. Several herbal plants and their respective lead constituents were also screened by preclinical In-vitro and In-vivo, clinical trials and are effective in the treatment of obesity. Therefore, there is a need to develop and screen large number of plant extracts and this approach can surely be a driving force for the discovery of anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants.

Protective effect of grape seed extract and orlistat co-treatment against stroke: Effect on oxidative stress and energy failure

Ischemic stroke is a major health concern and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress is an early event in the course of stroke inducing neuro-inflammation and cell death. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural phytochemical mixture exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Orlistat (ORL) is an anti-obesity agent and a gastro-intestinal lipase inhibitor which showed recently beneficial effects on brain lipotoxicity. Recent studies reported the increase of lipase activity upon stroke which led us to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ORL on rat brain I/R injury as well as the putative synergism with GSE. I/R insult infarcted the brain parenchyma as assessed by TTC staining, induced an oxidative stress as revealed by increased lipoperoxidation along with alteration of antioxidant enzymes activities which was corrected using the cotreatment of ORL + GSE. I/R also disturbed the main metabolic pathways involved in brain fueling as glycolysis, neoglucogenesis, glycogenolysis, TCA cycle and electron transfer chain (ETC) complexes. These disturbances were also corrected with the cotreatment ORL + GSE which maintained energetic activities near to the control level. I/R also disrupted transition metals distribution, along with associated enzymes as tyrosinase, LDH or glutamine synthetase activities and induced hippocampal inflammation as revealed by glycogen depletion from dentate gyrus area along with depressed anti-inflammatory IL1β cytokine and increased pro-inflammatory CD68 antigen. Interestingly almost all I/R-induced disturbances were corrected either partially upon ORL and GSE on their own and the best neuroprotection was obtained in the presence of both drugs (ORL + GSE) enabling robust neuroprotection of the sub granular zone within hippocampal dentate gyrus area.

Chamomile decoction mitigates high fat diet-induced anxiety-like behavior, neuroinflammation and cerebral ROS overload

An abundant literature suggests that obesity-associated with taking a high fat diet is related to an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, metabolic disorders may be involved in the induction of the anxiogenic-like symptoms. The current study was designed to elucidate the mechanisms by which a high fat diet (HFD) can cause several complications in the WISTAR rats (Rattus norvegicus) brain. Oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the putative protection afforded by chamomile decoction extract (CDE) were also studied.The results demonstrated that the increased body and brain weight, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities as well as hypercholezterolaemia in response to HFD taking were correlated with anxiogenic-like symptoms. Moreover, HFD feed caused a brain oxidative stress characterized by increased lipoperoxidation, inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, CAT and GPx, depletion of a non-enzymatic antioxidant such as sulfhydryl groups and GSH. Importantly, the results also show that HFD also provoked a cerebral overload in reactive oxygen species such as OH^•, H₂O₂ and O2∙- as well as brain inflammation assessed by the overproduction of cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6.Interestingly, all neurobehavioral changes and all the biochemical and molecular disturbances were abolished in HFD-fed rats treated with CDE.Our results provide clear evidence that obesity and depression as well as anxiety are finely correlated and that M. recutita's decoction may prove to be a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate the behavioral disorders, the biochemical alterations and the neuroinflammation associated to the obesity.

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.

Protective effect of (Xenical+GSF) against I/R-induced blood brain barrier disruption, ionic edema, lipid deregulation and neuroinflammation

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality worldwide that occurs following the reduction or interruption of blood brain supply, characterized by a cascade of early events as oxidative stress and ensuing neuro-inflammation, energy failure and the burst of intracellular Ca++ resulting in activation of phospholipases and large increase in FFA including arachidonic acid, ultimately leading to nervous cell death. Grape Seed Flour (GSF) is a complex polyphenolic mixture harboring antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Orlistat (Xenical ™,Xe) is a gastro-intestinal lipase inhibitor and an anti-obesity agent. In an earlier study we reported the higher efficiency in neuroprotection against HFD-induced brain lipotoxicity when combining the two drugs (GSF + Xe). As a result repurposing Xe as an adjunct to GSF therapy against stroke appeared relevant and worthy of investigation. I/R insult disrupted the blood brain barrier (BBB) as assessed by EB dye extravasation, increased water and Na⁺ within the brain. Ultrastructurally I/R altered the brain blood capillaries at the vicinity of hippocampus dentate gyrus area as assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. I/R altered lipid metabolism as revealed by LDL/HDL ratio, lipase activity, and FFA profiles. Moreover, I/R induced neuro-inflammation as assessed by down-regulation of anti-inflammatory CD 56 and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory CD 68 antigen. Importantly almost all I/R-induced disturbances were retrieved partially upon Xe or GSF on their own, and optimally when combining the two drugs. Xe per se is protective against I/R injury and the best neuroprotection was obtained when associating low dosage Xe with high dosage GSF, enabling neuroprevention and cell survival within hippocampus dentate gyrus area as revealed by increased staining of Ki 67 proliferation biomarker.

Dietary choline supplementation attenuated high-fat diet-induced inflammation through regulation of lipid metabolism and suppression of NFκB activation in juvenile black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

The present study aimed to investigate whether dietary choline can regulate lipid metabolism and suppress NFκB activation and, consequently, attenuate inflammation induced by a high-fat diet in black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii). An 8-week feeding trial was conducted on fish with an initial weight of 8·16 ± 0·01 g. Five diets were formulated: control, low-fat diet (11 %); HFD, high-fat diet (17 %); and HFD supplemented with graded levels of choline (3, 6 or 12 g/kg) termed HFD + C1, HFD + C2 and HFD + C3, respectively. Dietary choline decreased lipid content in whole body and tissues. Highest TAG and cholesterol concentrations in serum and liver were recorded in fish fed the HFD. Similarly, compared with fish fed the HFD, dietary choline reduced vacuolar fat drops and ameliorated HFD-induced pathological changes in liver. Expression of genes of lipolysis pathways were up-regulated, and genes of lipogenesis down-regulated, by dietary choline compared with fish fed the HFD. Expression of nfκb and pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver and intestine was suppressed by choline supplementation, whereas expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines was promoted in fish fed choline-supplemented diets. In fish that received lipopolysaccharide to stimulate inflammatory responses, the expression of nfκb and pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver, intestine and kidney were all down-regulated by dietary choline compared with the HFD. Overall, the present study indicated that dietary choline had a lipid-lowering effect, which could protect the liver by regulating intrahepatic lipid metabolism, reducing lipid droplet accumulation and suppressing NFκB activation, consequently attenuating HFD-induced inflammation in A. schlegelii.

Biochemical and Physiological Parameters in Rats Fed with High-Fat Diet: The Protective Effect of Chronic Treatment with Purple Grape Juice (Bordo Variety)

High-fat-diet (HFD) has been related to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Consumption of grapes and their byproducts containing phenolic compounds has been reported due to the benefits they produce for human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and protective effect of chronic intake of purple grape juice on certain biochemical and physiological changes promoted by the consumption of HFD. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups to receive standard or HFD diet and/or conventional (CGJ) or organic grape juice (OGJ) for three months. Dietary intake, body weight gain, cardiometabolic parameters, and serum lipoperoxidation were investigated. Results showed that consumption of CGJ and OGJ changed the pattern of food and drink intake of the animals. There was a reduction in the body weight of animals that consumed grape juices and an increase in the weight gain in HFD and OGJ rats. HFD increased abdominal fat and the abdominal fat/weight ratio, and both grape juices prevented these modifications. HFD increased hepatic enzymes levels (aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)) and reduced urea. Purple grape juices prevented some of these changes. HFD enhanced lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) in serum and CGJ and OGJ prevented this increase. The consumption of purple grape juice has the potential to prevent and ameliorate most of the alterations provoked by HFD, therefore regular intake of grape products could promote beneficial effects.

Changes in Plasma Metabolites Concentrations in Obese Dogs Supplemented With Anti-oxidant Compound

The aim of this study is to discuss the effect of anti-oxidant supplement (Rv-PEM01-99, Kibun Foods, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) on changes in energy metabolism in obese dogs. 200 mg/kg/day of Rv-PEM01-99 (equivalent to 5 mg kg/day of quercetin derivative) were applied for 6 weeks to the Beagle dogs fed high fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD). In the present study, body weight (BW) decreasing effect of Rv-PEM 01-99 in obese dogs was not clear. However, plasma alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities at the end of experiment were significantly decreased compared to those at the start of experiment in obese dogs supplemented with Rv-PEM 01-99 (paired-t test, p < 0.05). In control dogs supplemented with Rv-PEM 01-99, Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and triglycerides (TG) levels and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were significantly decreased compared to those at the start of experiment (paired-t test, p < 0.05). From these findings, Rv-PEM 01-99 seems to be not harmful for dogs. Anti-lipid peroxide effect and liver function improvement are expected in the dogs supplemented with Rv-PEM 01-99.

Reduced expression of Twist 1 is protective against insulin resistance of adipocytes and involves mitochondrial dysfunction

Insulin resistance (IR) has become a global epidemic that represents a serious hazard to public health. However, the precise mechanisms modulating IR have not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the role of transcriptional factor Twist 1 in adipocyte IR and to further explore the molecular mechanism. An in vitro IR model based on cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes was established under high glucose/insulin stimulation and an in vivo IR model in C57/BL6J mice induced by a high fat diet (HFD) was also developed. Lentivirus targeting Twist 1 silencing was introduced. The relationships between Twist 1 expression and IR state, mitochondrial dysfunction and the downstream insulin signaling pathway were assayed. Our results firstly showed the elevation of Twist 1 in IR adipocytes, and Twist 1 silencing attenuated IR. Then mitochondrial ultra-structural damage, elevated ROS, decreased MMP and ATP, and changes in mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes in IR group indicated mitochondrial dysfunction. Further, the downstream IRS/PI3K/AKT/GluT4 pathway was showed involved in Twist 1-mediated IR. In total, we provide evidence of a protective role of Twist 1 silencing in relieving the IR state of adipocytes. Mitochondrial dysfunction and the downstream IRS/PI3K/AKT/GluT4 pathway were involved in this Twist 1-mediated IR.

Supplementation of grape seed and skin extract to orlistat therapy prevents high-fat diet-induced murine spleen lipotoxicity

Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ and obesity is related to an elevated risk of immunity dysfunction. The mechanism whereby fat adversely affects the spleen is poorly understood. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) and orlistat (Xenical, Xe) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced spleen lipotoxicity. Obese rats were treated either with GSSE (4 g/kg body weight) or Xe (2 mg/kg body weight) or GSSE+Xe and monitored for weight loss for 3 months. Animals were then sacrificed and their spleen used for the evaluation of lipotoxicity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the putative protection afforded by GSSE and Xe treatment. HFD induced body weight gain and glycogen accumulation into the spleen; ectopic deposition of cholesterol and triglycerides and an oxidative stress characterized by increased lipoperoxidation and carbonylation; inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase; depletion of zinc and copper; and a concomitant increase in calcium. HFD also increased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein, and decreased plasma IL-10 and adiponectin. Importantly, GSSE counteracted all the deleterious effects of HFD on spleen (i.e., lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation) and the best protection was obtained when combining Xe+GSSE. Combining GSSE with Xe prevented against fat-induced spleen lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation; this combination may be beneficial in other diseases related to the spleen.