Pomegranate Seed Oil and Bitter Melon Extract Affect Fatty Acids Composition and Metabolism in Hepatic Tissue in Rats

Punicic acid ameliorates obesity-related hyperlipidemia and fatty liver in mice via regulation of intestinal flora and lipopolysaccharide-related signaling pathways

Punicic acid (PA), mainly found in pomegranate seed oil (PSO), has attracted increasing attention due to its potential to mitigate obesity. The regulation of intestinal microflora was identified as a crucial factor and an effective strategy to reverse obesity-related hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To assess the impact of PSO on hyperlipidemia related to obesity, we investigated the hepatic lipid status and gut microbiota regulation in mice over 13 weeks of feeding a high-fructose high-fat diet (HFHFD). Serum lipid markers, including TG, TC and LDL-C, were markedly reduced in hyperlipidemic mice. PSO supplementation reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis, inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (including IL-6 and IL-1β), and restored the normal levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, PSO also alleviated oxidative stress and increased T-AOC and SOD activities, as well as GSH levels, while reducing the MDA content in the liver of HFHFD-fed mice. The activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB and TLR4/IL-22/STAT3 signaling pathways in the liver due to the HFHFD was also evidently inhibited by PSO. Furthermore, supplementation of PSO ameliorated the HFHFD-induced dysbiosis of intestinal microflora, resulting in a markedly increased proportion of Muribaculaceae, a decreased ratio of Blautia, and elevated levels of microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Moreover, the expression of tight junction proteins correlated with intestinal barrier function was notably restored in the colon. The collected results indicate that PSO may be an effective nutraceutical ingredient for attenuating lipid metabolic disorders.

Responses of rumen microorganisms and metabolites to different roughage of domesticated Tibetan sheep

Tibetan sheep can utilize high fiber feeds well. However, the mechanisms of rumen microbiota and metabolites in response to different roughage in a housed environment are still unclear. We fed Tibetan sheep with three different roughage diets: 50% whole corn silage (TS), 50% wheatgrass group (TW), and 25% each of whole corn silage and wheatgrass (TM). Subsequently, meat traits, rumen contents 16S rRNA and metabolomics were studied. The results showed that feeding wheat straw to Tibetan sheep significantly increased the abundance of bacteria such as Ruminococcus and Succiniclasticum in the rumen. These microorganisms significantly increased metabolites such as beta-alanyl-L-lysine, butanoic acid and prostaglandin E2. Eventually, production performance, such as carcass weight and intramuscular fat and meat quality characteristics, such as color and tenderness were improved by altering the rumen's amino acid, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. This study demonstrated that including 25% wheatgrass and 25% whole corn silage in the diet improved the performance of Tibetan sheep, revealing the effect of the diet on the performance of Tibetan sheep through rumen microorganisms and metabolites.

Jacaranda oil administration improves serum biomarkers and bioavailability of bioactive conjugated fatty acids, and alters fatty acid profile of mice tissues

Jacaric acid, a conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) present in jacaranda oil (JO), is considered a potent anticarcinogenic agent. Several studies have focused on its biological effects, but the metabolism once consumed is not clear yet. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of two different daily doses of JO on serum parameters and fatty acid (FA) profile of mice tissues after 4 weeks of feeding. No significant changes on body weight gain, food intake, or tissue weight were determined after 0.7 or 2 ml/kg of JO supplementation compared to control animals. Significantly lower blood low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (20 mg/dl) and glucose (~147-148 mg/dl) levels were detected in both oil-treated groups compared to control (31.2 and 165 mg/dl, respectively). Moreover, jacaric acid was partially converted into cis9, trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and thus further incorporated into tissues. Liver evidenced the highest total conjugated fatty acid content (1.1%-2.2%), followed by epididymal (0.7%-1.9%) and mesenteric (1.4%-1.8%) fat. Lower saturated and higher unsaturated fatty acid content was detected in both oil-treated groups compared to control. Our results support the safety of JO and its potential application with a functional or nutraceutical propose, by increasing human CLNA consumption and further availability of CLA.