Ameliorative Effects of Citrus aurantium Juice on Metabolic Disorders Induced by Trans Fatty Acid-Rich Amalgam in Wistar rats
Background: Consumption of Trans Fatty acids (TFA) has been correlated with an increased risk of obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Aims: This study aimed to assess the anti-obesogenic and anti-diabetic effect of Citrus aurantium (CA) juice in Wistar rats following the administration of a Trans fatty acids rich diet.
Methods: Male Wistar rats were administered CA juice after induction of hyperlipidemia using escalating concentrations of a fatty product. The fatty acid methyl ester profile of the fat amalgam was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Phytochemical analysis of the CA juice was conducted employing ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS-MS). Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the juice was assessed through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. TFA-induced metabolic disorders were assessed by measuring various anthropometric parameters (Body Mass Index BMI, Lee Index, Ponderal Index PI, Waist to Length Ratio WLR, Adiposity Index AI). Glycated hemoglobin HbA1c by nephelometry. Plasma pancreatic lipase activity, aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) levels using biochemical kits. Additionally, liver tissues were microscopically examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).
Results: Obesogenic and diabetogenic effects were observed in rats receiving the high-fat amalgam. GC-MS analysis of the fatty product revealed the predominant presence of the trans fatty acid octadecadienoic acid. Qualitative UPLC-MS-MS identification of the CA juice highlighted the presence of 13 bioactive compounds, with epicatechin and quercetin being the most abundant. The juice exhibited significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay with an IC50 value of 1.125 µg/mL. Analysis of anthropometric parameters demonstrated a significant anti-obesogenic effect in animals treated with CA juice. Conversely, the administration of the fatty amalgam resulted in significant disturbances in the tested biochemical parameters. Notably, the administration of CA juice significantly contributed to the re-establishment of lipase expression, HbA1c levels, total cholesterol levels, GOT, and GPT. Histological examination of liver sections stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin revealed that the high-fat amalgam induced hepatic steatosis and pancreatic beta-cell disappearance. However, CA juice was able to decrease the extent of hepatic steatosis.
Conclusions: The administration of Citrus aurantium juice to rats demonstrated significant effectiveness in counteracting TFA- induced metabolic disorders.
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How to Cite
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