EFFECT OF BETA-ALANINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE LIVER OF SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

• Grant number: 24/00967-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Carolina Magalhães
• Grantee: Amanda Alves Rabelo
• 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 liver 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 liver's proteins of Sprague-Dawley rats (300-400 g) subjected to metabolic syndrome. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats will be used, with 10 with a standard diet (CO), 10 with a standard diet with ²A (CO+BA), 10 with a high-fat diet with MS (MS), and 10 with 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 MS and CO groups will receive a placebo (water). Blood concentrations of triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol and insulin will be evaluated. Liver tissue will be collected for histological analysis, and adipose tissue will be quantified to assess the degree of obesity.