Combined supplementation with hesperidin, phytosterols and curcumin decreases adiposity and improves metabolic health in ovariectomized rats

In recent years many women have looked for alternative therapies to address menopause. Hesperidin, phytosterols and curcumin are bioactive compounds that can ameliorate some cardiovascular risk factors associated with menopause, although there are no data concerning the effects of their combined supplementation. We used ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a postmenopausal model with oestrogen deficiency, to evaluate whether supplementation with a multi-ingredient (MI) including hesperidin, phytosterols and curcumin for 57 days would display beneficial effects against fat mass accretion and metabolic disturbances associated with menopause. Twenty OVX rats were orally supplemented with either MI (OVX-MI) or vehicle (OVX). Furthermore, 10 OVX rats orally received the vehicle along with subcutaneous injections of 17β-oestradiol biweekly (OVX-E2), whereas 10 rats were sham operated and received oral and injected vehicles (control group; SH). MI supplementation partly counteracted the fat mass accretion observed in OVX animals, which was evidenced by decreased total fat mass, adiposity index, the weight of retroperitoneal, inguinal and mesenteric white adipose tissue (MWAT) depots and MWAT adipocyte hypertrophy. These effects were accompanied by a significant decrease in the circulating levels of leptin and the mRNA levels of the fatty acid uptake-related genes Lpl and Cd36 in MWAT. These results were very similar to those observed in OVX-E2 animals. OVX-MI rats also displayed a higher lean body mass, lean/fat mass ratio, adiponectin-to-leptin ratio and insulin sensitivity than their OVX counterparts. Our findings can pave the way for using this MI formulation as an alternative therapy to manage obesity and to improve the cardiometabolic health of menopausal women.

Exploring Metabolic and Gut Microbiome Responses to Paraquat Administration in Male Wistar Rats: Implications for Oxidative Stress

In this study, we examined the metabolic and gut microbiome responses to paraquat (PQ) in male Wistar rats, focusing on oxidative stress effects. Rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of PQ at 15 and 30 mg/kg, and various oxidative stress parameters (i.e., MDA, SOD, ROS, 8-isoprostanes) were assessed after three days. To explore the omic profile, GC-qTOF and UHPLC-qTOF were performed to assess the plasma metabolome; 1H-NMR was used to assess the urine metabolome; and shotgun metagenomics sequencing was performed to study the gut microbiome. Our results revealed reductions in body weight and tissue changes, particularly in the liver, were observed, suggesting a systemic effect of PQ. Elevated lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species levels in the liver and plasma indicated the induction of oxidative stress. Metabolic profiling revealed changes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, accumulation of ketone body, and altered levels of key metabolites, such as 3-hydroxybutyric acid and serine, suggesting intricate links between energy metabolism and redox reactions. Plasma metabolomic analysis revealed alterations in mitochondrial metabolism, nicotinamide metabolism, and tryptophan degradation. The gut microbiome showed shifts, with higher PQ doses influencing microbial populations (e.g., Escherichia coli and Akkermansia muciniphila) and metagenomic functions (pyruvate metabolism, fermentation, nucleotide and amino acid biosynthesis). Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into the complex interplay between PQ exposure, metabolic responses, and gut microbiome dynamics. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind oxidative stress-induced metabolic alterations and underscore the connections between xenobiotic exposure, gut microbiota, and host metabolism.

Developing a model to predict the early risk of hypertriglyceridemia based on inhibiting lipoprotein lipase (LPL): a translational study

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). One of the multiple origins of HTG alteration is impaired lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, which is an emerging target for HTG treatment. We hypothesised that early, even mild, alterations in LPL activity might result in an identifiable metabolomic signature. The aim of the present study was to assess whether a metabolic signature of altered LPL activity in a preclinical model can be identified in humans. A preclinical LPL-dependent model of HTG was developed using a single intraperitoneal injection of poloxamer 407 (P407) in male Wistar rats. A rat metabolomics signature was identified, which led to a predictive model developed using machine learning techniques. The predictive model was applied to 140 humans classified according to clinical guidelines as (1) normal, less than 1.7 mmol/L; (2) risk of HTG, above 1.7 mmol/L. Injection of P407 in rats induced HTG by effectively inhibiting plasma LPL activity. Significantly responsive metabolites (i.e. specific triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, phosphatidylcholines, cholesterol esters and lysophospholipids) were used to generate a predictive model. Healthy human volunteers with the impaired predictive LPL signature had statistically higher levels of TG, TC, LDL and APOB than those without the impaired LPL signature. The application of predictive metabolomic models based on mechanistic preclinical research may be considered as a strategy to stratify subjects with HTG of different origins. This approach may be of interest for precision medicine and nutritional approaches.

Mediterranean natural extracts improved cognitive behavior in zebrafish and healthy rats and ameliorated lps-induced cognitive impairment in a sex dependent manner

BACKGROUND

Several findings suggest neuroinflammation as a contributing factor for the onset of psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, and anxiety. There is increasing evidence pointing out that the Mediterranean diet influences brain and behavior. Mediterranean herbs and spices have been shown to be within those components of the Mediterranean diet involved in cognitive enhancement. Thus, we investigated the influence of Mediterranean natural extracts (MNE), Rosemary extract (RE) and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract (GGRE), on cognitive behavior.

RESULTS

Adult zebrafish were exposed to RE or GGRE (100 and 250 mg/L) treatments. Both MNE improved memory retention during the T-maze test, although no improvements were observed during the novel object preference. Similarly, chronic administration of RE (150 mg/Kg) and GGRE (150 mg/Kg) improved, respectively, spatial and retention memory, as assessed by the Morris Water Maze (MWM), and the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) in healthy male rats. However, no improvements were observed during the novel object recognition. Finally, male, and female rats were chronically treated with lipopolysaccharide [(LPS) 300 ug/kg] and orally administered with RE. Interestingly, RE reversed LPS-induced cognitive deficit during the MWM and EPM in female rats.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that MNE improved cognition in both zebrafish and rats. Moreover, MNE rescued LPS-induced cognitive impairment in a gender-specific manner. Therefore, our study supports the view that zebrafish represent a valuable preclinical model for drug discovery in neuroscience. These findings contribute to an exciting and growing body of research suggesting that MNE may play an important role in the prevention of cognitive impairment.

Imbalances in TCA, Short Fatty Acids and One-Carbon Metabolisms as Important Features of Homeostatic Disruption Evidenced by a Multi-Omics Integrative Approach of LPS-Induced Chronic Inflammation in Male Wistar Rats

Chronic inflammation is an important risk factor in a broad variety of physical and mental disorders leading to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is a need for a deeper understanding of this condition and its progression to the disease state. For this reason, it is important to define metabolic pathways and complementary biomarkers associated with homeostatic disruption in chronic inflammation. To achieve that, male Wistar rats were subjected to intraperitoneal and intermittent injections with saline solution or increasing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations (0.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg) thrice a week for 31 days. Biochemical and inflammatory parameters were measured at the end of the study. To assess the omics profile, GC-qTOF and UHPLC-qTOF were performed to evaluate plasma metabolome; 1H-NMR was used to evaluate urine metabolome; additionally, shotgun metagenomics sequencing was carried out to characterize the cecum microbiome. The chronicity of inflammation in the study was evaluated by the monitoring of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) during the different weeks of the experimental process. At the end of the study, together with the increased levels of MCP-1, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) along with 8-isoprostanes (an indicative of oxidative stress) were significantly increased (p-value < 0.05). The leading features implicated in the current model were tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates (i.e., alpha-ketoglutarate, aconitic acid, malic acid, fumaric acid and succinic acid); lipids such as specific cholesterol esters (ChoEs), lysophospholipids (LPCs) and phosphatidylcholines (PCs); and glycine, as well as N, N-dimethylglycine, which are related to one-carbon (1C) metabolism. These metabolites point towards mitochondrial metabolism through TCA cycle, β-oxidation of fatty acids and 1C metabolism as interconnected pathways that could reveal the metabolic effects of chronic inflammation induced by LPS administration. These results provide deeper knowledge concerning the impact of chronic inflammation on the disruption of metabolic homeostasis.

Alterations in Metabolome and Microbiome Associated with an Early Stress Stage in Male Wistar Rats: A Multi-Omics Approach

Stress disorders have dramatically increased in recent decades becoming the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in the United States and Europe. However, the diagnosis of stress disorders is currently based on symptom checklist and psychological questionnaires, thus making the identification of candidate biomarkers necessary to gain better insights into this pathology and its related metabolic alterations. Regarding the identification of potential biomarkers, omic profiling and metabolic footprint arise as promising approaches to recognize early biochemical changes in such disease and provide opportunities for the development of integrative candidate biomarkers. Here, we studied plasma and urine metabolites together with metagenomics in a 3 days Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (3d CUMS) animal approach that aims to focus on the early stress period of a well-established depression model. The multi-omics integration showed a profile composed by a signature of eight plasma metabolites, six urine metabolites and five microbes. Specifically, threonic acid, malic acid, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinic acid and cholesterol were proposed as key metabolites that could serve as key potential biomarkers in plasma metabolome of early stages of stress. Such findings targeted the threonic acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle as important pathways in early stress. Additionally, an increase in opportunistic microbes as virus of the Herpesvirales was observed in the microbiota as an effect of the primary stress stages. Our results provide an experimental biochemical characterization of the early stage of CUMS accompanied by a subsequent omic profiling and a metabolic footprinting that provide potential candidate biomarkers.

A Pilot Study for Metabolic Profiling of Obesity-Associated Microbial Gut Dysbiosis in Male Wistar Rats

Obesity is one of the most incident and concerning disease worldwide. Definite strategies to prevent obesity and related complications remain elusive. Among the risk factors of the onset of obesity, gut microbiota might play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease, and it has received extensive attention because it affects the host metabolism. In this study, we aimed to define a metabolic profile of the segregated obesity-associated gut dysbiosis risk factor. The study of the metabolome, in an obesity-associated gut dysbiosis model, provides a relevant way for the discrimination on the different biomarkers in the obesity onset. Thus, we developed a model of this obesity risk factors through the transference of gut microbiota from obese to non-obese male Wistar rats and performed a subsequent metabolic analysis in the receptor rats. Our results showed alterations in the lipid metabolism in plasma and in the phenylalanine metabolism in urine. In consequence, we have identified metabolic changes characterized by: (1) an increase in DG:34:2 in plasma, a decrease in hippurate, (2) an increase in 3-HPPA, and (3) an increase in o-coumaric acid. Hereby, we propose these metabolites as a metabolic profile associated to a segregated dysbiosis state related to obesity disease.

Detection of Early Disease Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome: A New Era with the NMR Metabolomics Assessment

The metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disease developed due to accumulation and chronification of several risk factors associated with disrupted metabolism. The early detection of the biomarkers by NMR spectroscopy could be helpful to prevent multifactorial diseases. The exposure of each risk factor can be detected by traditional molecular markers but the current biomarkers have not been enough precise to detect the primary stages of disease. Thus, there is a need to obtain novel molecular markers of pre-disease stages. A promising source of new molecular markers are metabolomics standing out the research of biomarkers in NMR approaches. An increasing number of nutritionists integrate metabolomics into their study design, making nutrimetabolomics one of the most promising avenues for improving personalized nutrition. This review highlight the major five risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and related diseases including carbohydrate dysfunction, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Together, it is proposed a profile of metabolites of each risk factor obtained from NMR approaches to target them using personalized nutrition, which will improve the quality of life for these patients.