Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on the cardiovascular system in sprague-dawley rats with metabolic syndrome.

• Grant number: 23/09283-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Magalhães
• Grantee: Guilherme Neves Gasparino
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MS) can increase the chances of an individual developing diabetes and heart diseases, therefore, studies that demonstrate potential therapies for MS are necessary. Among these, there is supplementation with beta-alanine (²A), a promising substance in reducing the number of free radicals present in an organism with MS. Thus, the objective of this study will be to evaluate the effect of beta-alanine supplementation on the cardiovascular system of Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400 g) subjected to metabolic syndrome. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats will be used, with 10 on a standard diet (CO), 10 on a standard diet with ²A (CO+BA), 10 on a high-fat diet with MS (MS), and 10 on a high-fat diet with ²A and MS (MS+BA). The protocol will last for 10 weeks, with ad libitum access to food and water. Starting from week 4, the CO+BA and MS+BA groups will receive a gavage dose of 250 mg/kg/day of ²A, while the CO group will receive a placebo (water). Blood concentrations of triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, and leptin will be evaluated. Cardiac muscle will be collected for proteomic analysis, and adipose tissue will be quantified to assess the degree of obesity. For proteomic analysis, t-test for differential protein expression will be used, considering p<0.05 for downregulated proteins and 1- p>0.95 for upregulated proteins. For blood and adipose tissue parameters, 2-way ANOVA will be applied, followed by Bonferroni (p<0.05).