Study of d-limonene effects on plasma markers of lipid and glucose metabolism in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Menopause is a biological process that happens in women, where there is a decrease on production of sexual hormones and the end of the menstrual activity. Due to these changes, weight gain and endocrine and metabolic changes, imminent in this process, women's quality and life expectancy are compromised.Bile acids are metabolites produced from cholesterol involved in the emulsification of dietary lipids. These compounds have attracted attention due to recent reports of their ability to modulate energy metabolism and different physiological processes. Its metabolism involves liver synthesis and transformations resulting from the activity of the intestinal microbiota, whose composition is sensitive to chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes and different dietary components.The hypothesis of this study is that d-limonene, found mainly in orange peel, may modulate the composition of bile acids due to possible effects on the composition of the intestinal microbiota.Therefore, the main objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of d-limonene supplementation on biochemical markers of postprandial triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism in postmenopausal women. The volunteers will receive 2 g of d-limonene supplementation per day for 3 weeks. Before and after the supplementation period, a dietary challenge will be performed, assessing the postprandial response to a liquid mixed diet.Plasma markers of clinical biochemistry, liver enzyme activity, the effects of d-limonene on plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentration and postprandial glucose metabolism will be evaluated. The results obtained in this study will allow an unprecedented analysis of the effects of d-limonene supplementation on the concentration of biochemical markers of postprandial metabolism.