Action of bergamot fruit extract (Citrus bergamia) on the prevention and treatment of redox imbalance and the inflammatory process in target organs of Obesity

Abstract

Obesity triggers inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are involved in the pathogenesis of various organs. For this reason, natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action have been the subject of research, since these substances can be easily implemented in the food routine. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) is a citrus fruit that has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Although some publications relate the benefits of this fruit in the form of juice, oil or extract with metabolic diseases, there are still no investigations assessing which compound is present in the organs in cases of obesity. The importance of this verification is necessary to verify if there is a major compound among them or if the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefit comes from the synergistic action between them. The aim of this work will be to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effect of compounds from the extract of the fruit of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) on the parameters of the redox/inflammatory state and function of target organs of obesity (liver, kidney, heart and adipose tissue) in animals subjected to a diet rich in sugar and fat. Prevention Experiment: group G1 (n=15) will receive control diet plus placebo (DC + P), G2 (n=15) control diet + bergamot extract (DC+Ex), G3 (n=15) sugar-rich diet and fat plus placebo (HSF + P) and G4 (n=15) HSF diet plus bergamot extract (HSF+Ex) for 20 weeks. Then the animals will be euthanized and the material collected for analysis. Therapeutic Experiment: animals in groups G5 will receive a control diet (C, n=30 animals) and those in group G6 will receive a diet rich in sugar and fat (HSF, n=30 animals) for a period of 20 weeks. After 20 weeks these animals will be relocated randomly. Group 5 was divided into two to receive a control diet plus placebo (G5 C + P, n=15 animals) and a control diet plus bergamot fruit extract (G5 C+ Ex, n=15 animals). Group 6 divided into two to receive HSF diet plus placebo (G6 HSF + P, n=15 animals) and HSF diet plus bergamot fruit extract (G6 HSF + Ex, n=15 animals) for 10 weeks, totaling 30 weeks of experiment. The administration of extract and placebo (drinking water) will be performed daily by gavage at a concentration of 250mg/Kg. At the end of the experimental protocol, the nutritional profile, target organ dysfunction, obesity complications (systolic blood pressure, hormone and biochemical levels in plasma), inflammatory parameters, oxidative stress and the characterization of extract components in adipose tissue, liver, heart and kidneys will be checked. Data presentation will be by descriptive measures of position and variability and analyzed by specific comparison tests. (AU)