Effect of bergamot (Citrus bergamia) fruit extract on kidney oxidative stress in obese rats

Abstract

Obesity is a disease characterized as excess body fat that can harm health, including impaired renal function. Among the various pathophysiological mechanisms involved in renal disease in obesity, there is oxidative stress. Thus, studies with bioactive compounds that have antioxidant potential have been increasingly in evidence. Bergamot, a fruit found in southern Italy, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, showing beneficial effects in relation to metabolic parameters. That said, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the preventive effect of consuming bergamot fruit extract on markers of oxidative stress in the kidneys of obese rats. Wistar rats (n=60) will be used, divided into four groups with a control diet + placebo (C + P, n= 15), control + bergamot (C+B, n=15), diet rich in sugar and fat + placebo (HSF + P, n=15) and a diet high in sugar and fat + bergamot (HSF + B, n=15) for a period of 20 weeks. The HSF groups will also receive the addition of 25% sucrose in the water. The evaluation of the animals will include glycemic and plasma lipid profiles, systolic blood pressure, analysis of renal function and markers of oxidative stress in the kidneys. Data will be presented by descriptive measures of position and variability and analyzed by specific comparison tests.Keywords: obesity, kidneys, bergamot, oxidative stress