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Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa ethanolic extract (HsE) on protein levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, adiponectin and leptin in adipose tissue, as well as on the lipid and glycemic profiles of high-fat/sugar diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. Design/methodology/approach Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/sugar diet provided for eight weeks. Control rats received a standard diet. The high-fat/sugar DIO animals were subsequently randomized into DIO (n = 8) and DIO treated with HsE (DIO + HsE, n = 8, 150 mg/kg/day) by gavage, for additional eight weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and blood samples and epididymal adipose tissue were collected for biochemical analysis and adipokine protein level evaluation, respectively. Findings Compared to the DIO rats, HsE treatment decreased weight gain (50.6%) and mesenteric fat (42%), indicated as diminished visceral fat (22.5%). HsE did not affect the lipid profile and TNF-α levels in adipose tissue; however, it effectively prevented a 13% increase in fasting glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance. Compared with the C group, HsE normalized the adiponectin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio and decreased the IL-6 (55%) and leptin (18.6%) levels in adipose tissue of obese rats. Originality/value HsE improves adipokine protein levels in high-fat/sugar DIO rats, demonstrating the clinical efficacy of HsE in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Este estudo foi delineado para avaliar o efeito do óleo-resina de copaíba sobre peso corporal, adiposidade e marcadores inflamatórios, no tecido adiposo, em animais com cirrose hepática. Ratos Wistar machos foram casualmente divididos em dois grupos: Cirrose Hepática (CH, n=7) e CH + óleo-resina de copaíba (CH+OC, n=7). A cirrose hepática foi induzida por administração intraperitoneal (i.p.) de tioacetamida, na dose de 100mg/kg/duas vezes por semana; e a suplementação com óleo-resina de copaíba foi administrada, via gavagem, na dose de 200mg/kg/dia durante 8 semanas. Os dados mostram que a suplementação com óleo-resina de copaíba foi capaz de melhorar o ganho de peso e adiposidade em animais com cirrose hepática, além de aumentar os níveis de IL10, citocina anti-inflamatória, e reduzir os níveis de IL-1?, citocina pró-inflamatória. Estes achados sugerem efeito benéfico do óleo-resina de copaíba sobre o tecido adiposo, em modelo de cirrose hepática.

Aims Liver cirrhosis is the main chronic liver disease and is considered a catabolic disease. Cirrhotic patients have a low energy intake and high energy expenditure at rest, leading to metabolic disorders. Malnutrition is associated with complications of cirrhosis and has been shown that a nutritional intervention with increase of energy intake improves the survival of cirrhotic patients. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the effect of a high sucrose diet in the liver of animals with cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide and investigate the mechanism involved. Main methods Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control; Thioacetamide; and Thioacetamide + high sucrose diet. The thioacetamide was administrated (100 mg kg−1) intraperitoneally and the sucrose was offered in drinking water (300 g L−1). Key findings The administration of thioacetamide was associated with fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in the liver and increased levels of transaminases enzymes. The high sucrose diet promoted a reduction of theses parameters in cirrhotic rats. The malnutrition observed in cirrhotic rats was attenuated by the high sucrose diet shown by the improvements in weight loss, subcutaneous fat, and caloric intake. The high sucrose diet also attenuated the oxidative stress present in the liver of animals with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis. Significance The high sucrose diet had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in the liver of animals with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis. In addition, the high sucrose diet also improved malnutrition and catabolism present in cirrhosis. Thus, a high sucrose diet may be a therapeutic option for cirrhotic patients in a catabolic state.