Estudios científicos

Liver delipidating effect of a combination of resveratrol and quercetin in rats fed an obesogenic diet

Abstract:

Liver steatosis is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of triacylglycerols in this organ. This metabolic disorder is closely associated with obesity. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the effect of a combination of resveratrol andquercetin on liver steatosis in an animal model of dietetic obesity, and to compare it with one induced by the administration of each polyphenol separately. Rats were divided into four dietary groups of nine animals each and fed a high-fat, high-sucrosediet: an untreated control group and three groups treated either with resveratrol (RSV; 15 mg/kg/day), with quercetin (Q; 30 mg/kg/day), or with both (RSV + Q; 15 mg resveratrol/kg/day and 30 mg quercetin/kg/day) for 6 weeks. Liver weight and triacylglycerol content decreased only in the RSV + Q group. A significant reduction in acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was observed in RSV and RSV + Q groups, without changes in fatty acid synthase activity. A significant increase in carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a activity was observed only in rats treated with the combination of resveratrol and quercetin, suggesting increased fatty acid oxidation. Citrate synthase, a marker of mitochondrial density, remained unchanged in all groups. No significant changes were observed in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1) and transcription factor A mitochondrial (TFAM). In conclusion, resveratrol and quercetin together, combining two doses which were shown to be ineffective singly, is an interesting tool to prevent liver steatosis associated with high-fat high-sucrose feeding. The delipidating effect seems to be mediated by increased fatty acid oxidation not associated with increased mitochondriogenesis, and by reduced de novo lipogenesis. 

Comentarios divulgativos:

La esteatosis hepática es más comúnmente conocido como hígado graso, donde hay una acumulación de grasa en el hígado y es un trastorno metabólico estrechamente asociado con la obesidad. Este estudio analizó el efecto del resveratrol y quercetina en la esteatosis hepática en rata que sufren de obesidad. Todos ellos fueron alimentados con una dieta obesogénica y se dividieron en cuatro groups: un grupo de control no tratado, un grupo tratado con resveratrol, otro con quercetina y otro con ambos. Los tratados con resveratrol y quercetina tuvieron efectos positivos, concluyendo que puede ser una herramienta interesante para prevenir la esteatosis hepática asociada con una dieta obesogénica. 

Liver steatosis is more commonly known as fatty liver disease, where there is a buildup of fats in the liver and is a metabolic disorder closely associated with obesity. This study analysed the effect of resveratrol and quercetin on liver steatosis in rats suffering from dietetic obesity. They were all fed a obesogenic diet and were divided into four dietary groups: an untreated control group, a group treated with resveratrol, with quercetin or with both. Those treated with both resveratrol and quercetin had positive effects, concluding that it may be an interesting tool to prevent liver steatosis associated with an obesogenic diet.