title: Helichrysum and Grapefruit Extracts Boost Weight Loss in Overweight Rats Reducing Inflammation.
abstract: Obesity is characterized by an increased production of inflammatory markers. High levels of circulating free fatty acids and chronic inflammation lead to increased oxidative stress, contributing to the development of insulin resistance (IR). Recent studies have focused on the potential use of flavonoids for obesity management due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of helichrysum and grapefruit extracts in overweight insulin-resistant rats. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in two groups: control group (n=8) and high-fat sucrose (HFS) group (n=30). After 22 days of ad libitum water and food access, the rats fed HFS diet changed to standard diet and were reassigned into three groups (n=10 each group): nonsupplemented, helichrysum extract (2 g/kg bw), and grapefruit extract (1 g/kg bw) administered for 5 weeks. Rats supplemented with both extracts gained less body weight during the 5-week period of treatment, showed lower serum insulin levels and liver TBARS levels. Leptin/adiponectin ratio, as an indicator of IR, was lower in both extract-administered groups. These results were accompanied by a reduction in TNFα gene expression in epididymal adipose tissue and intestinal mucosa, and TLR2 expression in intestinal mucosa. Helichrysum and grapefruit extracts might be used as complement hypocaloric diets in weight loss treatment. Both extracts helped to reduce weight gain, hyperinsulinemia, and IR, improved inflammation markers, and decreased the HFS diet-induced oxidative stress in insulin-resistant rats.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona , Spain .|2 Centre for Nutrition Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain .
authors.forename: Ana Laura
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: de la Garza
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona , Spain .|2 Centre for Nutrition Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain .
authors.forename: Usune
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Etxeberria
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria .
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haslberger
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna , Vienna, Austria .
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aumueller
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona , Spain .|2 Centre for Nutrition Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain .|4 Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn, Carlos III Health Research Institute , Madrid, Spain .
authors.forename: J Alfredo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona , Spain .|2 Centre for Nutrition Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain .|4 Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CIBERobn, Carlos III Health Research Institute , Madrid, Spain .
authors.forename: Fermín I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Milagro
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D032083:Citrus paradisi / Q000737:chemistry*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D036562:Helichrysum / Q000737:chemistry*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000276:immunology; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
keywords: TLR2; TNFα; flavonoids; grapefruit; helichrysum; insulin resistance