This study aimed at investigating the metabolic and behavioural effects of troxerutin treatment in the offspring of high fat diet (HFD) fed dams. Female Wistar rats (n = 40) received normal diet (ND) or HFD for 8 weeks prior to breeding. After mating, pregnant animals were assigned to four subgroups: ND, ND + Tro (troxerutin 150 mg/kg/day), HFD, and HFD + Tro. On the 21st day, male offspring were weaned and fed ND until 12 weeks old. Behavioural tests were performed on postnatal day (PND) 80 and 90. Compared to the controls, the HFD offspring showed more anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours, higher blood glucose, cholesterol, and cortisol levels. On the other hand, chronic troxerutin administration during gestation restored metabolic and behavioural changes to normal. In summary, troxerutin improved anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours, as well as metabolic status in the offspring of the HFD fed dams. More studies are needed to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Background & Objective: Apelin is a newly discovered member of adipocytokines that acts as an endogenous ligand for the G-coupled receptor for the protein orphan (APJ). This study aimed at investigating the beneficial effect of troxerutin (TRO) on apelin-13 and its receptor mRNA expression in the ovary of high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Materials & Methods: 40 three-week old female Wistar rats received control diet (CD) or HFD for 8 weeks. After mating, pregnant animals were divided into 4 subgroups: CD, CD +TRO, HFD, and HFD + TRO. Respective diets continued to the end of lactation. CD +TRO and HFD +TRO groups received troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day, P.O.) during pregnancy. After weaning offspring, animals in the maternal group were sacrificed. Then blood samples and ovarian tissue samples were collected for further evaluation. Results: The results indicated that HFD significantly increased serum apelin-13 in HFD dams, which was reversed by TRO treatment. Also, analysis showed that ovarian mRNA expression of the apelin receptor markedly down-regulated in the HFD group compared to control groups. It was also revealed that treatment with troxerutin in the HFD group could significantly increase apelin receptor mRNA expression in comparison with the both CD and HFD groups. Conclusion: Troxerutin treatment in obese pregnant mothers can affect the function of the reproductive system by modulating the serum apelin 13 and the expression of its receptor gene.

Lifestyle changes have made metabolic disorders as one of the major threats to life. Growing evidence demonstrates that obesity and diabetes disrupt the reproductive system by affecting the gonads and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Apelin, an adipocytokine, and its receptor (APJ) are broadly expressed in the hypothalamus nuclei, such as paraventricular and supraoptic, where gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released, and all three lobes of the pituitary, indicating that apelin is involved in the control of reproductive function. Moreover, apelin affects food intake, insulin sensitivity, fluid homeostasis, and glucose and lipid metabolisms. This review outlined the physiological effects of the apelinergic system, the relationship between apelin and metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, as well as the effect of apelin on the reproductive system in both gender. The apelin–APJ system can be considered a potential therapeutic target in the management of obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction and reproductive disorders.

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