Preprint / Version 1

Inflammation Markers in Adipose Tissue and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction by Pomegranate Juice in Obesity Induced by a Hypercaloric Diet in Wistar Rats

Authors

  • Maria Michicotl-Meneses Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Mexico City 07738, Mexico; [email protected] (M.M.M.-M.); [email protected] (I.I.L.-T.)
  • María Thompson-Bonilla Laboratorio de Medicina Genómica, Investigación Biomédica y Traslacional, ISSSTE, Hospital Regional “1° de Octubre”, Mexico City 07760, Mexico; [email protected]
  • César Reyes-López Laboratorio de Bioquímica Estructural, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Mexico City 07320, Mexico; [email protected]
  • Blanca García-Pérez Laboratorio de Microbiología General, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Mexico City 11340, Mexico; [email protected]
  • Itzel López-Tenorio Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Mexico City 07738, Mexico; [email protected] (M.M.M.-M.); [email protected] (I.I.L.-T.)
  • Cynthia Ordaz-Pichardo Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Productos Naturales, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Mexico City 07320, Mexico; [email protected]
  • María Jaramillo-Flores Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Mexico City 07738, Mexico; [email protected] (M.M.M.-M.); [email protected] (I.I.L.-T.)

Keywords:

pomegranate juice, anthocyanins, obesity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammation, selectin, atherosclerosis vascular risk, high-fat diet

Abstract

Pomegranate juice (Punica granatum) has been used since ancient times in traditional medicine (Unani Medicine, Ayurveda); its main compounds are anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and cardiovascular health effects. The objective was to evaluate the effect of pomegranate juice on inflammation, blood pressure, and vascular and physiological markers associated with obesity induced by a high-fat diet in a murine model. The results show that pomegranate juice reduces the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (cLDL) 39% and increases the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (cHDL) by 27%, leading to a 12%–18% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition to reducing blood pressure by 24%, it also had an antiatherogenic effect by decreasing sE-selectin levels by 42%. On the other hand, the juice significantly increased adiponectin levels in adipose tissue, decreased levels of inflammation markers (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), and inhibited the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Pomegranate juice requires clinical studies to prove its immunoregulatory and therapeutic effects on cardiovascular and atherogenic risks. Keywords: pomegranate juice, anthocyanins, obesity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammation, selectin, atherosclerosis vascular risk, high-fat diet

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