Beneficial Effects of Tamarind Trypsin Inhibitor in Chitosan–Whey Protein Nanoparticles on Hepatic Injury Induced High Glycemic Index Diet: A Preclinical Study

Abstract

Several studies have sought new therapies for obesity and liver diseases. This study investigated the effect of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI), nanoencapsulated in chitosan and whey protein isolate (ECW), on the liver health status of the Wistar rats fed with a high glycemic index (HGLI) diet. The nanoformulations without TTI (CW) and ECW were obtained by nanoprecipitation technique, physically and chemically characterized, and then administered to the animals. The adult male Wistar rats (n = 20) were allocated to four groups: HGLI diet + water; standard diet + water; HGLI diet + ECW (12.5 mg/kg); and HGLI diet + CW (10.0 mg/kg), 1 mL per gagave, for ten days. They were evaluated using biochemical and hematological parameters, Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis (FIB-4), AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores, and liver morphology. Both nanoparticles presented spherical shape, smooth surface, and nanometric size [120.7 nm (ECW) and 136.4 nm (CW)]. In animals, ECW reduced (p < 0.05) blood glucose (17%), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (39%), and alkaline phosphatase (24%). Besides, ECW reduced (p < 0.05) APRI and FIB-4 scores and presented a better aspect of hepatic morphology. ECW promoted benefits over a liver injury caused by the HGLI diet.

An Insulin Receptor-Binding Multifunctional Protein from Tamarindus indica L. Presents a Hypoglycemic Effect in a Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetes—Preclinical Study

“…Another study with the TTI, nanoencapsulated in chitosan, and isolated whey proteins, showed that Wistar rats fed the HGLI diet exhibited a significantly lower fasting plasma glucose concentration, without changing the insulin concentration compared to the group of untreated Wistar rats, which also consumed the same HGLI diet [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Nanoparticles Containing Tamarind Isolate Protein Potentiate the Satiety without Promoting the Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a Preclinical Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

“…Considering the protection of TTI observed in ECW in the present study and others, in addition to the low toxicity [ 13 , 14 , 15 ] and the bioactive potential of ECW evidenced in animals with obesity [ 15 , 16 ], in the present study, we investigated and compared the effects of TTI and ECW on dietary intake, weight, Lee index, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters in Wistar rats with diet-induced obesity.…”

“…Queiroz et al [ 13 ] synthesized and characterized ECW, and, posteriorly, other preclinical studies were conducted with this nanoformulation using the same method of obtaining [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. In the present study, TTI and ECW presented the same physicochemical characteristics and encapsulation efficiency, similar to previous studies [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Thus, it demonstrated the method’s reproducibility and guaranteed it was the same nanoparticle in question.…”

“…The concentrations used for TTI (25 mg/kg of weight) and ECW (12.5 mg/kg of weight) were based on previous studies [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. In this study, the concentration of TTI administered to the animals (2.5 mg/kg) contained in ECW (12.5 mg/kg) was ten times lower compared to the concentration of TTI administered (25 mg/kg) to the animals.…”

“…Thus, studies were conducted with ECW administered in an experimental model of obesity induced by diet using Wistar rats. It improved hepatic parameters and carbohydrate metabolism, reducing glycemia [ 15 , 16 ].…”