Capybara Oil Improves Hepatic Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Steatosis, and Inflammation in a Murine Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common cause of liver dysfunction worldwide and is commonly associated with obesity. Evidences suggest that NAFLD might be a mitochondrial disease, which contributes to the hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, cytokine release, and cell death. Capybara oil (CO) is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which is known to improve inflammation and oxidative stress. In order to determine the effects of CO on NAFLD, C57Bl/6 mice were divided into 3 groups and fed a high-fat diet (HFD) (NAFLD group and NAFLD + CO group) or a control diet (CG group) during 16 weeks. The CO (1.5 g/kg/daily) was administered by gavage during the last 4 weeks of the diet protocol. We evaluated plasma liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, and cytokine expression in liver as well as hepatocyte ultrastructural morphology and mitochondrial function. CO treatment suppressed hepatic steatosis, attenuated inflammatory response, and decreased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in mice with NAFLD. CO was also capable of restoring mitochondrial ultrastructure and function as well as balance superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Our findings indicate that CO treatment has positive effects on NAFLD improving mitochondrial dysfunction, steatosis, acute inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Beneficial Effects of Capybara Oil Supplementation on Steatosis and Liver Apoptosis in Obese Mice

“…In the present study, the BM of mice fed with a high-fat diet increased in relation to animals fed with a control diet. Data corroborate the literature, in which we found several works that relate the administration of a high-fat diet with the increase in BM in mice [ 25 , 37 ]. Furthermore, this type of diet has already been seen to develop consequences such as obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and liver damage [ 26 , 38 ].…”

“…Terefore, the search for an alternative source of these AGs is essential, and it is in this scenario that capybara oil presents itself. Tree studies have already shown the benefts that this capybara-derived by-product can generate, including accelerating the healing process in rat skin wounds; improving steatosis, infammation, and hepatic mitochondrial activity; and improving pathophysiology and kidney infammation [24][25][26].…”

“…It is one of the components present in Capivarol, a fortifying tonic for children, and it is also related to activities in helping respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma, as well as rheumatism [ 23 ]. Previous studies by our group demonstrate that it can accelerate the healing process of skin wounds in rats [ 24 ], improve steatosis, inflammation, and hepatic mitochondrial activity [ 25 ], and improve the pathophysiology and renal inflammation of obese mice [ 26 ].…”

Euphausia pacifica (North Pacific Krill): Review of Chemical Features and Potential Benefits of 8-HEPE against Metabolic Syndrome, Dyslipidemia, NAFLD, and Atherosclerosis

“…ALT levels in the plasma are used as a marker to indicate hepatic disorders. In fact, Marinho et al [55] showed that capybara oil decreased plasma ALT levels and improved hepatic steatosis. Moreover, an n-3 PUFA-enriched diet decreased serum ALT levels and damaged areas of the liver, including hepatocyte necrosis, in a Con-A-induced hepatitis mouse model [56].…”

Capybara Oil Improves Renal Pathophysiology and Inflammation in Obese Mice

“…In addition, the oil is also made up of oleic (35.6 to 39.8%) and palmitic (20.7 to 24.3%) PUFAs [19]. There are still few studies using CO, but data in the literature shows that it is able to accelerate the healing process in skin wounds in mice [20] and improve steatosis, inflammation and mitochondrial activity liver [21].…”