Metabolic parameters and hepatic gluconeogenesis on hyperlipidemia mice induced by high-fat diet supplemented with beetroot stalks and leaves (beta vulgaris l.)

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease caused by multiple factors and depends on the interaction of genetic, social, behavioral, metabolic and cultural factors. Obesity is a pathology characterized by excessive fat body accumulation when occurs an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. It is well known that the homeostatic control of body energy balance is carried out by specific populations of neurons situated in the most part in the hypothalamus. Some peripheral signaling, like gastrointestinal hormones, nutrients, insulin and leptin also informs the Central Nervous System (CNS) about body energy status. The resistance to the action of insulin and leptin in the CNS should be a major cause of the obesity development, inflammatory response due to the excessive consumption of certain foods, such as saturated fats. Obesity disease is responsible for the development of other chronic diseases and functional disabilities and is considered an inflammatory condition. Inflammation is a crucial part of the pathogenesis of non-chronic degenerative diseases such as Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Some food and nutritional components has been studied as targets for intervention to try to reduce the problems secondary to the obesity, enhancing life quality and reduce the mortality. Natural compounds isolated from fruits and vegetables, for example, play anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role and should be used as adjuvants in liver abnormalities acting as hepatoprotective. Among the promising vegetables foods, beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), and its byproducts, such as stalks and leaves, are rich in phenolic compounds. Beetroot has been studied in the performance improvement, diabetes and blood pressure control. However, there are no studies that evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of beetroot stalks and leaves. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of beetroot stalks and leaves (Beta vulgaris L.) added to different diets on metabolic parameters and liver function using animals models feed with hyperlipidic diet. (AU)