Red pitaya juice supplementation ameliorates energy balance homeostasis by modulating obesity-related genes in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome rats

Abstract

BackgroundRed pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) or known as buah naga merah in Malay belongs to the cactus family, Cactaceae. Red pitaya has been shown to give protection against liver damage and may reduce the stiffness of the heart. Besides, the beneficial effects of red pitaya against obesity have been reported; however, the mechanism of this protection is not clear. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated the red pitaya-targeted genes in obesity using high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome rat model.MethodsA total of four groups were tested: corn-starch (CS), corn-starch + red pitaya juice (CRP), high-carbohydrate, high-fat (HCHF) and high-carbohydrate, high-fat + red pitaya juice (HRP). The intervention with 5 % red pitaya juice was continued for 8 weeks after 8 weeks initiation of the diet. Retroperitoneal, epididymal and omental fat pads were collected and weighed. Plasma concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured using commercial kits. Gene expression analysis was conducted using RNA extracted from liver samples. A total of eighty-four genes related to obesity were analyzed using PCR array.ResultsThe rats fed HCHF-diet for 16 weeks increased body weight, developed excess abdominal fat deposition and down-regulated the expression level of IL-1α, IL-1r1, and Cntfr as compared to the control group. Supplementation of red pitaya juice for 8 weeks increased omental and epididymal fat but no change in retroperitoneal fat was observed. Red pitaya juice reversed the changes in energy balance homeostasis in liver tissues by regulation of the expression levels of Pomc and Insr. The increased protein expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in HCHF group and red pitaya treated rats confirmed the results of gene expression.ConclusionCollectively, this study revealed the usefulness of this diet-induced rat model and the beneficial effects of red pitaya on energy balance homeostasis by modulating the anorectic, orexigenic and energy expenditure related genes.

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) flesh supplementation attenuates biochemical and morphological changes in the liver and kidney of high fat diet-induced obese rats

“…In fact, previous research showed the potential role of whole fruit in reducing obesity symptoms from its relatively low level of energy density and high content of dietary fiber [49]. It can thus be suggested that the mechanism of body weight reduction is due to the metabolic effects of fiber which increase the nutrient breakdown and release from the foods and contribute to satiating effect [50] as shown in our previous study [51].…”

Hylocereus polyrhizus Peel Extract Retards Alcoholic Liver Disease Progression by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in C57BL/6 Mice

“…In mice with diet-induced obesity, red pitaya-derived betacyanin treatment modulates the gut microbiota, including reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia [ 27 ]. Dietary red pitaya juice also exhibits anti-inflammatory activities in mice with metabolic syndrome [ 43 ]. Therefore, PPE supplementation may also protect against ethanol-induced hepatic inflammation through the gut–liver axis.…”

The effect of high-fat diet and 13-cis retinoic acid application on lipid profile, glycemic response and oxidative stress in female Lewis rats

“…Total body fat was measured as the sum of the following individual fat pad weights: epigonadal fat + retroperitoneal fat + visceral fat. Adiposity index (%) was calculated as follows: ([retroperitoneal fat (g) + visceral fat (g) + epigonadal fat (g)] / [body weight (g)]) × 100 and expressed as adiposity percentage [28]. The adiposity index was used as a measure of adiposity, because the fat degree tends to increase gradually with obesity.…”