Potential Intervention of α- Lipoic Acid and Carnitine on Insulin Sensitivity and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Fructose-Fed Rats, a Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the beneficial effect of α-lipoic acid (ALA) and L-carnitine (CAR) on insulin sensitivity and anti-inflammatory markers in animal model of metabolic syndrome (MS), high fructose (HF)-fed rats. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10). Group 1(control rats, G1), animals were allowed to drink 0.2% gum acacia (GA, p.o) and were fed a modified diet containing 65% cornstarch. The remaining rats were induced MS by feeding the same diet + free access to 10% fructose (w/v) in 0.2% GA (HF, MS) for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of HF feeding, the rats were further divided into three subgroups; G2: HF (MS) in 0.2% GA, G3: HF (MS)+CAR (200 mg/kg/day) in 0.2% GA and G4: HF (MS)+ALA (200 mg/kg/day) in 0.2% GA, respectively. All ingredients were administered orally by guava daily for four weeks. A significant increase in serum glucose, insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels was observed after four weeks of HF feeding compared to control rats. Administration of ALA and CAR reversed the increase of the mentioned parameters. In HF rats, the increase of serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly lowered, while the reduction of the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was alleviated after administration of CAR and ALA. The reduction of the serum adiponectin level was significantly increased after administration of CAR and ALA. These data suggested that CAR and/or ALA had a beneficial role in the prevention of MS associated with development of type 2 diabetes.

Combined Exposure to Fructose and Bisphenol A Exacerbates Abnormal Lipid Metabolism in Liver of Developmental Male Rats

“…A recent meta-analysis found that consuming fructose, rather than glucose-containing beverages led to visceral adiposity, increased serum TG levels, elevated systolic blood pressure, hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia [34]. The levels of serum TG, T-CHO and LDL-C increased, and HDL-C decreased in 10% fructose-fed rats [35]. BPA administration resulted in higher levels of serum TG, T-CHO and LDL-C [36].…”

Maternal intake of alpha-lipoic acid prevents development of symptoms associated with a fructose-rich diet in the male offspring in Wistar rats

“…Unfortunately, we did not measure plasmatic leptin or insulin concentrations in the rats from the present study, and thus we cannot conclude that the fructose-fed animals developed leptin/insulin resistance, as reported elsewhere. 41,44,[46][47][48] Nevertheless, rats in the CTF group presented the highest triglyceride/glucose index, which is highly correlated with insulin resistance 31 (Table 1). Rats in the ALAF group presented lower glucose and triglyceride levels than rats in the CTF group, again suggesting the protective effect of maternal ALA consumption.…”

The Nutraceutical Value of Carnitine and Its Use in Dietary Supplements

“…Many in vitro studies [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], and in vivo studies of animals [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] and humans [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] have reported different beneficial functions for carnitine. In the following, the main activities observed are reported.…”

“…In-animal model Anti-diabetic effects An improvement of glucose metabolism in mice with insulin resistant [32] In-animal model Anti-diabetic effects Reduction in the serum levels of adiponectin. [33] In-animal model Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects Managed histological and inflammation damage, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction and arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity.…”