Effect of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) leaf extract on the redox-inflammatory state in obesity target organs

Author(s)

Juliana Silva Siqueira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Botucatu. 2023-03-08.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina. Botucatu
• Defense date: 2023-02-16
• Advisor: Camila Renata Correa; Fabiane Valentini Francisqueti Ferron

Abstract

Introduction: The high consumption of industrialized food rich in simple carbohydrates and saturated fat is associated to a positive energy balance and fat accumulation. This scenario contributes to increased obesity rates in the world population in recent decades. Adipose tissue dysfunction has been reported as an important factor in the early stages of obesity-associated comorbidities from several direct and indirect mechanisms such as unregulated adipokine secretion, macrophages infiltration, inflammation, reduced antioxidant defense and oxidative stress that can act in several metabolic processes, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and tissue and organ dysfunction, such as the heart, liver and kidneys, known as obesity target organs. The better understanding of the processes involved in the pathophysiology of obesity and adipose tissue dysfunction can help in preventive and treatment studies in order to curb the obesity associated consequences. The addition of bioactive compounds, rich in polyphenols, to the dietary habit acts beneficially because, in addition to reducing inflammation and oxidative stress generated by obesogenic diets, they can be easily introduced into the dietary routine of individuals through the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of bergamot leaf extract (Citrus bergamia) on the treatment of parameters of the RedOx/inflammatory state in obesity target organs (liver, kidneys, heart and adipose tissue) in animals submitted to a high sugar-fat diet. Materials and methods: 48 male Wistar rats were divided into 2 experimental groups receiving a control diet (Control, n=24) and a high sugar-fat diet (HSF, n=24) for 20 weeks. Then, the animals were selected and re-divided for the beginning of the 10- week treatment with bergamot leaf extract (Fo) by gavage (50mg/kg animal) into 4 groups: control diet (Control, n=10), control diet + Fo (Control+Fo, n=10), high- sugar-fat diet (HSF, n=10) and high sugar-fat diet + Fo (HSF+Fo, n=10). The ani- mals were evaluated regarding their nutritional, metabolic and hormonal profile; heart, liver, and kidney function; inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters. Results: It was possible to observe that the animals that consumed the HSF diet had obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, heart, liver and kidney dysfunction, inflammation and oxidative stress in the obesity target organs. Treatment with Fo showed protection, demonstrating a reduction in triglycerides, insulin and insulin resistance; increased serum levels of HDL cholesterol; and reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissue, heart, liver and kidneys. Conclusion: Thus, the treatment with bergamot leaf extract was able to act on systemic metabolic parameters, as well as on the recovery of the redox/inflammatory scenario in different tissues of obese animals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/07282-8 - Effect of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) leaf extract on the redox-inflammatory state in obesity target organs
• Grantee: Juliana Silva Siqueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master