Gradual withdrawal and supplementation with ascorbic acid as possible actions to minimize the deleterious effects of consumption and abrupt withdrawal of an obesogenic diet on the behavior and oxidative and inflammatory parameters of rats

• Grant number: 21/02325-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Debora Estadella
• Grantee: Debora Estadella
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alessandra Mussi Ribeiro ; Breno Picin Casagrande ; Carla Máximo Prado ; Luciana Pellegrini Pisani

Abstract

The metabolic complications resulting from the consumption of obesogenic diets affect children and adolescents as much as adults. It is estimated that poor food quality is responsible for more than a fifth of deaths in the world. This inadequate dietary pattern and the increase in adiposity are related to several metabolic changes and complications, most of which are in inflammatory and oxidative parameters in both central and peripheral tissues. Additionally, some behavioral changes are associated with their consumption. In order to prevent the worsening of morbidity and mortality associated with this form of unhealthy eating, it is necessary to introduce an energetic and nutritionally balanced diet. While the consumption of obesogenic diets alleviates the stress response and stimulates the reward system, the interruption of its consumption tends to intensify the response to stress and decrease the response of the reward system. In addition, with the withdrawal of the obesogenic diet, both in clinical and experimental studies, metabolic and behavioral changes are observed that hinder weight loss and favor the resumption of an inadequate diet. Our hypothesis is that a gradual change in the composition of the diet would be perceived as a minor aggression, at the same time that ascorbic acid supplementation would help by its performance in the dopaminergic system. Thus, the objective of the present proposal is to evaluate whether a gradual withdrawal and ascorbic acid supplementation can be an effective preventive strategy for the negative consequences triggered by the withdrawal from an obesogenic diet. (AU)