The Effects of Antioxidants from Natural Products on Obesity, Dyslipidemia, Diabetes and Their Molecular Signaling Mechanism

The role of oxidative stress in intervertebral disc degeneration: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Oxidative stress is one of the main driving mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration(IDD). Oxidative stress has been associated with inflammation in the intervertebral disc, cellular senescence, autophagy, and epigenetics of intervertebral disc cells. It and the above pathological mechanisms are closely linked through the common hub reactive oxygen species(ROS), and promote each other in the process of disc degeneration and promote the development of the disease. This reveals the important role of oxidative stress in the process of IDD, and the importance and great potential of IDD therapy targeting oxidative stress. The efficacy of traditional therapy is unstable or cannot be maintained. In recent years, due to the rise of materials science, many bioactive functional materials have been applied in the treatment of IDD, and through the combination with traditional drugs, satisfactory efficacy has been achieved. At present, the research review of antioxidant bioactive materials in the treatment of IDD is not complete. Based on the existing studies, the mechanism of oxidative stress in IDD and the common antioxidant therapy were summarized in this paper, and the strategies based on emerging bioactive materials were reviewed.

Diverse effects of a Cyperus rotundus extract on glucose uptake in myotubes and adipocytes and its suppression on adipocyte maturation

Cyperus rotundus rhizomes have been used in longevity remedies in Thailand for nourishing good health, which led us to investigate the effect on energy homeostasis, especially glucose utilization in myotubes and adipocytes, and on inhibition of lipogenesis in adipocytes. The results showed that an ethyl acetate extract of C. rotundus rhizomes (ECR) containing 1.61%w/w piceatannol, with a half-maximal concentration of 17.76 ± 0.03 μg/mL in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, caused upregulation and cell-membrane translocation of glucose transporters GLUT4 and 1 in L6 myotubes but downregulation and cytoplasmic localization of GLUT4 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and was related to the p-Akt/Akt ratio in both cells, especially at 100 μg/mL. Moreover, ECR (25-100 μg/mL) significantly inhibited lipid accumulation via Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK), Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), and Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK) pathways. Its immunoblot showed increased expression of p-AMPKα/AMPKα and p-ACC/ACC but decreased expression of p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK3β/GSK3β in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, the decreased expression of the adipogenic effectors, perilipin1 and lipoprotein lipase, in ECR-incubated adipocytes (50 and 100 μg/mL) indicated reduced de novo lipogenesis. Our study elucidated mechanisms of C. rotundus that help attenuate glucose tolerance in skeletal muscle and inhibit lipid droplet accumulation in adipose tissue.

Potential regulatory role of PGC-1α within the skeletal muscle during metabolic adaptations in response to high-fat diet feeding in animal models

High-fat diet (HFD) feeding in rodents has become an essential tool to critically analyze and study the pathological effects of obesity, including mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) regulates cellular energy metabolism to influence insulin sensitivity, beyond its active role in stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis to facilitate skeletal muscle adaptations in response to HFD feeding. Here, some of the major electronic databases like PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were accessed to update and critically discuss information on the potential role of PGC-1α during metabolic adaptations within the skeletal muscle in response to HFD feeding in rodents. In fact, available evidence suggests that partial exposure to HFD feeding (potentially during the early stages of disease development) is associated with impaired metabolic adaptations within the skeletal muscle, including mitochondrial dysfunction and reduced insulin sensitivity. In terms of implicated molecular mechanisms, these negative effects are partially associated with reduced activity of PGC-1α, together with the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and altered expression of genes involving nuclear respiratory factor 1 and mitochondrial transcription factor A within the skeletal muscle. Notably, metabolic abnormalities observed with chronic exposure to HFD (likely during the late stages of disease development) may potentially occur independently of PGC-1α regulation within the muscle of rodents. Summarized evidence suggests the causal relationship between PGC-1α regulation and effective modulations of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic flexibility during the different stages of disease development. It further indicates that prominent interventions like caloric restriction and physical exercise may affect PGC-1α regulation during effective modulation of metabolic processes.

Natural products as pharmacological modulators of mitochondrial dysfunctions for the treatment of diabetes and its complications: An update since 2010

Diabetes, characterized as a well-known chronic metabolic syndrome, with its associated complications pose a substantial and escalating health and healthcare challenge on a global scale. Current strategies addressing diabetes are mainly symptomatic and there are fewer available curative pharmaceuticals for diabetic complications. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify novel pharmacological targets and agents. The impaired mitochondria have been associated with the etiology of diabetes and its complications, and the intervention of mitochondrial dysfunction represents an attractive breakthrough point for the treatments of diabetes and its complications. Natural products (NPs), with multicenter characteristics, multi-pharmacological activities and lower toxicity, have been caught attentions as the modulators of mitochondrial functions in the therapeutical filed of diabetes and its complications. This review mainly summarizes the recent progresses on the potential of 39 NPs and 2 plant-extracted mixtures to improve mitochondrial dysfunction against diabetes and its complications. It is expected that this work may be useful to accelerate the development of innovative drugs originated from NPs and improve upcoming therapeutics in diabetes and its complications.

Graphislactone A, a Fungal Antioxidant Metabolite, Reduces Lipogenesis and Protects against Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice

Graphislactone A (GPA), a secondary metabolite derived from a mycobiont found in the lichens of the genus Graphis, exhibits antioxidant properties. However, the potential biological functions and therapeutic applications of GPA at the cellular and animal levels have not yet been investigated. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of GPA in mitigating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its underlying mechanisms through a series of experiments using various cell lines and animal models. GPA demonstrated antioxidant capacity on a par with that of vitamin C in cultured hepatocytes and reduced the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide in primary macrophages. However, in animal studies using an NAFLD mouse model, GPA had a milder impact on liver inflammation while markedly attenuating hepatic steatosis. This effect was confirmed in an animal model of early fatty liver disease without inflammation. Mechanistically, GPA inhibited lipogenesis rather than fat oxidation in cultured hepatocytes. Similarly, RNA sequencing data revealed intriguing associations between GPA and the adipogenic pathways during adipocyte differentiation. GPA effectively reduced lipid accumulation and suppressed lipogenic gene expression in AML12 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In summary, our study demonstrates the potential application of GPA to protect against hepatic steatosis in vivo and suggests a novel role for GPA as an underlying mechanism in lipogenesis, paving the way for future exploration of its therapeutic potential.

The Influence of Polysaccharides on Lipid Metabolism: Insights from Gut Microbiota

SCOPE

Polysaccharides are complex molecules of more than ten monosaccharide residues interconnected through glycosidic linkages formed via condensation reactions. Polysaccharides are widely distributed in various food resources and have gained considerable attention due to their diverse biological activities. This review presented a critical analysis of the existing research literature on anti-obesity polysaccharides and investigates the complex interplay between their lipid-lowering activity and the gut microbiota, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the lipid-lowering properties of polysaccharides and the underlying mechanisms of action.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this review, the study summarized the roles of polysaccharides in improving lipid metabolism via gut microbiota, including the remodeling of the intestinal barrier, reduction of inflammation, inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, reduction of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) production, and regulation of the metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs).

CONCLUSION

These mechanisms collectively contributed to the beneficial effects of polysaccharides on lipid metabolism and overall metabolic health. Furthermore, polysaccharide-based nanocarriers combined with gut microbiota have broad prospects for developing targeted and personalized therapies for hyperlipidemia and obesity.

Anthocyanin-enriched extract from Ribes nigrum inhibits triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation in adipocytes

Aim: Obesity is a chronic pathology of epidemic proportions. Mature adipocytes from a 3T3-L1 cell line were used as in vitro obesity model to test different bioactive compounds. We aim to evaluate cassis (Ribes nigrum) extract antioxidant activity and its antiadipogenic effect on mature adipocytes. Results: We produced an extract by using enzyme that combines cellulase and pectinase; we obtained high yield of the bioactive compound anthocyanin. Extract showed high antioxidant capacity. We conducted in vitro assays by adding the extract to adipocytes culture medium. Extract reduced intracellular levels of triglyceride by 62% and cholesterol by 32%. Conclusion: Enzymatic extract's high antioxidant activity was likely attributable to its high concentration of anthocyanin. This extract inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes.

A Review of the Potential Health Benefits of Nigella sativa on Obesity and Its Associated Complications

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and its prevalence continues to increase at an alarming rate. It is considered a major risk factor for the development of several comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, other cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Conventional treatments for obesity, such as dietary interventions, exercise and pharmacotherapy, have proven to have limited effectiveness and are often associated with undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative therapeutic approaches. Nigella sativa (NS), a medicinal plant with multiple pharmacological properties, has gained attention due to its potential role in the treatment of obesity and its associated complications. The aim of this review is therefore to assess the effects of NS on obesity and its complications and to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. From this review, NS appears to play a complementary or supportive role in the treatment of obesity and its complications. However, future studies are needed to verify the efficacy of NS in the treatment of obesity and its complications and to prove its safety so that it can be introduced in patients with obesity.

Molecular Characterization of Prunus lusitanica L. Fruit Extracts and Their Health-Promoting Potential in Inflammation, Diabetes, and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Prunus lusitanica L. is a shrub belonging to the genus Prunus L. (Rosaceae family) that produces small fruits with none known application. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the phenolic profile and some health-promoting activities of hydroethanolic (HE) extracts obtained from P. lusitanica fruits, harvested from three different locations. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of extracts was performed using HPLC/DAD-ESI-MS and antioxidant activity was assessed by in vitro methods. Antiproliferative/cytotoxic activity was determined on Caco-2, HepG2, and RAW 264.7 cells, anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, and the antidiabetic, antiaging, and neurobiological action of extracts was determined in vitro by assessing their inhibitory effect against the activity of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, elastase, tyrosinase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Results showed that P. lusitanica fruit HE extracts from the three different locations showed identical phytochemical profile and bioactivities, although small differences were observed regarding the quantities of some compounds. Extracts of P. lusitanica fruits contain high levels in total phenolic compounds, namely, hydroxycinnamic acids, as well as flavan-3-ols and anthocyanins, primarily cyanidin-3-(6-trans-p-coumaroyl)glucoside. P. lusitanica fruit extracts have a low cytotoxic/antiproliferative effect, with the lowest IC₅₀ value obtained in HepG2 cells (352.6 ± 10.0 μg/mL, at 48 h exposure), but high anti-inflammatory activity (50-60% NO release inhibition, at 100 μg/mL extract) and neuroprotective potential (35-39% AChE inhibition, at 1 mg/mL), and moderate antiaging (9-15% tyrosinase inhibition, at 1 mg/mL) and antidiabetic (9-15% α-glucosidase inhibition, at 1 mg/mL) effects. The bioactive molecules present in the fruits of P. lusitanica deserve to be further explored for the development of new drugs of interest to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Health Properties of Plant Bioactive Compounds: Immune, Antioxidant, and Metabolic Effects

In recent decades, people in the industrialized world have increased the demand for meat-free foods motivated by health, environmental, and animal welfare reasons [...].

Corchorus olitorius extract exhibit anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models of obesity and diabetes mellitus

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are chronic conditions with detrimental impacts on the overall health of individuals. Presently, the use of pharmacological agents in obesity and T2D offers limited benefits and pose side effects. This warrant studies on remedies that are less toxic and inexpensive while effective in ameliorating secondary complications in obesity and T2D. Plant-based remedies have been explored increasingly due to their remarkable properties and safety profile. We searched for pre-clinical evidence published from inception until 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, Google, and Semantic scholar on Corchorus olitorius (C. olitorius) in both obesity and T2D. Our focus was to understand the beneficial impact of this plant-based remedy on basic glycemic, lipid, inflammatory, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. The evidence gathered in this review suggests that C. olitorius treatment may significantly reduce blood glucose, body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in concomitant with increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) in rodent models of obesity and T2D. Interestingly, this effect was consistent with the reduction of malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalases, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins, and leptin. Some of the mechanisms by which C. olitorius reduces blood glucose levels is through stimulation of insulin secretion, increasing β-cell proliferation, thus promoting insulin sensitivity; the process which is mediated by ascorbic acid present in this plant. C. olitorius anti-hyperlipidemia is attributable to the content of ferulic acid found in this plant, which inhibits 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors and thus results in reduced synthesis of cholesterol and increased hepatic LDL-c receptor expression, respectively. The present review provides extensive knowledge and further highlights the potential benefits of C. olitorius on basic metabolic parameters, lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative stress in rodent models of obesity and T2D.

The association between vitamin C dietary intake and its serum levels with anthropometric indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

studies showed inflammatory background of overweight and obesity. Prevalence of weight disorders has dramatically increased over the past few decades. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and may be associated with weight disorders. This study aims to systematically review the relationship between dietary and serum vitamin C levels with anthropometric indices.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in Medline database (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library and Google Scholar up to the end of August 2021. All observational studies that assessed the relationship between dietary or circulating vitamin C levels and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) on adults were included. The quality of included studies was assessed using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool.

RESULTS

Among 11,689 studies, 47 and 37 articles were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. There was an inverse significant correlation between WC and serum vitamin C levels (r = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.35,-0.21, I² = 14.2%) and between BMI and serum vitamin C levels (r = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.25, -0.09, I² = 72.8%). Higher vitamin C consumption was significantly associated with lower BMI. There were no significant differences in serum vitamin C levels between normal-weight and overweight subjects, but serum vitamin C levels were significantly higher in obese subjects in comparison with normal-weight subjects.

CONCLUSION

Results showed that both dietary and serum vitamin C levels were inversely associated with BMI and WC. More well-designed clinical trials are needed to assess the effect of vitamin C supplementation in prevention and treatment of obesity.

Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq Alleviates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Antioxidant Activities in C57BL/6 Obese Mice and Palmitic-Oleic Acid-Induced Steatosis in HepG2 Cells

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent form of liver disease. Orthosiphon aristatus (Blume) Miq, a traditional plant in South Asia, has previously been shown to attenuate obesity and hyperglycaemic conditions. Eight weeks of feeding C57BL/6 mice with the standardized O. aristatus extract (400 mg/kg) inhibited the progression of NAFLD. Liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were significantly reduced in treated mice by 74.2% ± 7.69 and 52.8% ± 7.83, respectively. Furthermore, the treated mice showed a reduction in serum levels of glucose (50% ± 5.71), insulin (70.2% ± 12.09), total cholesterol (27.5% ± 15.93), triglycerides (63.2% ± 16.5), low-density lipoprotein (62.5% ± 4.93) and atherogenic risk index relative to the negative control. Histologically, O. aristatus reversed hepatic fat accumulation and reduced NAFLD severity. Notably, our results showed the antioxidant activity of O. aristatus via increased superoxide dismutase activity and a reduction of hepatic malondialdehyde levels. In addition, the levels of serum pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNFα) decreased, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. The aqueous, hydroethanolic and ethanolic fractions of O. aristatus extract significantly reduced intracellular fat accumulation in HepG2 cells that were treated with palmitic-oleic acid. Together, these findings suggest that antioxidant activities are the primary mechanism of action of O. aristatus underlying the anti-NAFLD effects.

Oxidative balance score reflects vascular endothelial function of Chinese community dwellers

Background: The oxidative balance score (OBS) is a composite estimate of the overall pro- and antioxidant risk status in an individual. The aim of this study is to explore the association between the OBS and vascular endothelial function in Chinese community dwellers. Methods: In total, 339 community dwelling adults (aged 20-75 years) were recruited in this study. The overall OBS was calculated on the basis of 16 pro- and antioxidant factors related to diet (measured by fasting blood samples) and lifestyle (evaluated by questionnaires). The dietary OBS and lifestyle OBS were calculated on the basis of the corresponding components. Serum iso-prostaglandin F2α (FIP) was measured to evaluate the oxidative stress degree, and brachial artery blood flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured for vascular endothelial function. The FIP and FMD levels were dichotomized as "low" or "high" using the corresponding median values (low FIP, n = 159; high FIP, n = 180; low FMD, n = 192; and high FMD, n = 147). The components of the OBS were compared between the stratified FIP and FMD groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the OBS associations with FIP and FMD. Results: The higher overall OBS and dietary OBS were associated with lower FIP (p < 0.001), whereas the higher overall OBS (p < 0.01) and dietary OBS (p < 0.05) were associated with higher FMD. The lifestyle OBS was not associated with FIP and FMD (p > 0.05). Except for the body mass index (BMI) and low physical activity, all other OBS components were significantly different between the low FIP and high FIP groups (p < 0.05). Four diet-related antioxidants (α-carotene, zeaxanthin, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol) showed significant differences between the high and low FMD groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The decreasing OBS level was associated with low endothelial function and high oxidative stress. The dietary OBS, rather than the lifestyle OBS, was more closely associated with endothelial function.

Quinacrine attenuates diet-induced obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis via activation of AMPK signaling

Obesity, a global epidemic chronic metabolic disease, urgently demands novel therapies. As an antimalarial drug, quinacrine has not been reported for its anti-obesity effect to our knowledge. This study aimed to explore the ability of quinacrine to attenuate obesity. In an in vitro adipogenic model, quinacrine exhibited an outstanding suppression on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, mainly by activating the AMPK (Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway to regulate preadipocytes differentiation and lipid accumulation. In addition, C57BL/6N female mice were fed with high-fat diet and high-fructose water for 14 weeks to establish an obesity model, followed by oral administration of quinacrine or orlistat. After 9 weeks of treatment, quinacrine significantly reduced the body weight and energy intake, ameliorated the impaired glucose tolerance and restored the homeostasis of serum lipids. Also, quinacrine improved lipid profile and optimized the expression of AMPK signaling pathway related proteins in livers and adipose tissues of obese mice. Quinacrine reverses obesity through activating AMPK phosphorylation to down-regulate adipogenesis, along with lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. It should be a novel application for the treatment of obesity and its associated diseases.

Cichoriin, a Biocoumarin, Mitigates Oxidative Stress and Associated Adverse Dysfunctions on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats

Metabolic dysfunctions linked to obesity carry the risk of co-morbidities such as diabetes, hepatorenal, and cardiovascular diseases. Coumarins are believed to display several biological effects on diverse adverse health conditions. This study was conducted to uncover the impact of cichoriin on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Methods: Obesity was induced in twenty rats by exposure to an HFD for six weeks. The rats were randomly divided into five groups; group I comprised five healthy rats and was considered the control one. On the other hand, the HFD-induced rats were divided into the following (five per each group): group II (the HFD group), groups III (cichoriin 50 mg/kg) and IV (cichoriin 100 mg/kg) as the treatment groups, and group V received atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) (as a standard). Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), urea, creatinine, the hepatic and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed. Histopathological analysis of the heart, kidney, and liver tissues was investigated. mRNA and protein expressions of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were estimated. Results: The administration of cichoriin alleviated HFD-induced metabolic dysfunctions and improved the histopathological characteristics of the heart, kidney, and liver. Additionally, the treatment improved the lipid profile and hepatic and renal functions, as well as the oxidative balance state. Cichoriin demonstrated an upregulation of the mRNA and protein expressions of PPAR-γ. Taken together, these findings are the first report on the beneficial role of cichoriin in alleviating adverse metabolic effects in HFD-induced obesity and adapting it into an innovative obesity management strategy.

Tackling Dyslipidemia in Obesity from a Nanotechnology Perspective

Obesity and dyslipidemia are the main features of metabolic syndrome, expressed mainly by adipose tissue dysfunction and connected by similar pathways and pharmacotherapy. Conventional drugs used in these two associated disorders are limited due to poor drug efficiency, non-specificity, and toxic side effects. Therefore, novel solutions for tackling obesity-associated diseases and providing insights into the development of innovative or improved therapies are necessary. Targeted nanotherapy is a revolutionary technology, offering a promising solution for combatting the disadvantages of currently available therapies for treating obesity and dyslipidemia due to its superior features, which include specific cell targeting, the protection of drugs against physiological degradation, and sustained drug release. This review presents a brief assessment of obesity and dyslipidemia, their impacts on human health, current treatment, and limitations, and the role and potential use of nanotechnology coupled with targeted drug delivery and nutraceuticals as emerging therapies. To the best of our knowledge, this paper presents, for the first time in the literature, a comparison between obesity and dyslipidemia nano-formulations based on drugs and/or natural extracts applied in experimental studies.

A Pilot Study of whether or Not Vegetable and Fruit Juice Containing Lactobacillus paracasei Lowers Blood Lipid Levels and Oxidative Stress Markers in Thai Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Dyslipidemia is one of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, which is the main cause of mortality worldwide. Meanwhile, lipid-lowering drug side-effects may also occur. Thus, consumption of vegetables and fruits containing probiotics is a good alternative to influence the lipid profile in plasma. This study investigated the effect of consuming vegetable and fruit juice (VFJ) with (probiotic group) and without probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (placebo group), on the body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress enzymes, and bile acid level in dyslipidemic patients (n = 20) at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital for 30 days. The levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio in the probiotic group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group. The HDL-C concentration in the probiotic group was higher than that in the placebo group. The probiotic group showed significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels; increased oxidative stress enzymes, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the plasma; and increased bile acid (BA) levels in the feces. Therefore, the findings of this study demonstrate that VFJ enriched with probiotic L. paracasei may represent an alternative method for the prevention of dyslipidemia during the primary intervention stage for patients who are not yet taking other medication.