Glycyrrhizic acid can attenuate metabolic deviations caused by a high-sucrose diet without causing water retention in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) ameliorates many components of the metabolic syndrome, but its potential therapeutic use is marred by edema caused by inhibition of renal 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2). We assessed whether 100 mg/kg per day GA administered orally could promote metabolic benefits without causing edema in rats fed on a high-sucrose diet. Groups of eight male rats were fed on one of three diets for 28 days: normal diet, a high-sucrose diet, or a high-sucrose diet supplemented with GA. Rats were then culled and renal 11β-HSD2 activity, as well as serum sodium, potassium, angiotensin II and leptin levels were determined. Histological analyses were performed to assess changes in adipocyte size in visceral and subcutaneous depots, as well as hepatic and renal tissue morphology. This dosing paradigm of GA attenuated the increases in serum leptin levels and visceral, but not subcutaneous adipocyte size caused by the high-sucrose diet. Although GA decreased renal 11β-HSD2 activity, it did not affect serum electrolyte or angiotensin II levels, indicating no onset of edema. Furthermore, there were no apparent morphological changes in the liver or kidney, indicating no toxicity. In conclusion, it is possible to reap metabolic benefits of GA without edema using the current dosage and treatment time.
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. hf.hamishfernando@gmail.com.
Hamish Alexander
HA
Fernando
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. c.chandramouli@student.unimelb.edu.au.
Chanchal
C
Chandramouli
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. dayangrosli@live.com.
Dayang
D
Rosli
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. springbreeze88@hotmail.com.
Yi Lyn
YL
Lam
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. crystaljacy@gmail.com.
Sheau Ting
ST
Yong
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. hpyaw1@student.monash.edu.
Hui Ping
HP
Yaw
School of Science, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. ton.so.ha@monash.edu.
So Ha
SH
Ton
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan 46150, Malaysia. khalid.kadir@monash.edu.
Khalid Abdul
KA
Kadir
The Boden Institute of Obesity, Nutrition, Exercise and Eating Disorders, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia. amanda.salis@sydney.edu.au.
Amanda
A
Sainsbury
D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D020738:Leptin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D012964:Sodium; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2; D011188:Potassium