Effects of Ferulic Acid and γ-Oryzanol on High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Abstract

BackgroundThe high morbidity of metabolic dysfunction diseases has heightened interest in seeking natural and safe compounds to maintain optimal health. γ-Oryzanol (OZ), the ferulic acid (FA) ester with phytosterols, mainly present in rice bran has been shown to improve markers of metabolic syndrome. This study investigates the effects of FA and OZ on alleviating high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced metabolic syndrome parameters.MethodsMale SD rats were fed with a regular rodent diet, HFFD, or HFFD supplemented with 0.05% FA or 0.16% OZ (equimolar concentrations) for 13 weeks. Food intake, organ indices, serum lipid profiles, glucose metabolism, insulin resistance (IR) index and cytokine levels were analyzed. The mechanisms were further investigated in oleic acid-stimulated HepG2 cells by analyzing triglyceride (TG) content and lipogenesis-related gene expressions.ResultsIn the in vivo study, FA and OZ exhibited similar effects in alleviating HFFD-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and IR. However, only OZ treatment significantly decreased liver index and hepatic TG content, lowered serum levels of C-reactive protein and IL-6, and increased serum concentration of adiponectin. In the in vitro assay, only OZ administration significantly inhibited intracellular TG accumulation and down-regulated expression of stearoyl coenzyme-A desaturase-1, which might facilitate OZ to enhance its hepatoprotective effect.ConclusionOZ is more effective than FA in inhibiting hepatic fat accumulation and inflammation. Thus, FA and OZ could be used as dietary supplements to alleviate the deleterious effects of HFFD.

Identification of polyphenolic compounds and determination of antioxidant activity in extracts and infusions of buckwheat leaves

“…This polyphenolic compound has strong antioxidant activity which was confirmed in in vivo studies [27][28][29]. Li et al [30], who studied the ethanolic extract, have reported that leaves of common buckwheat contained 2.07/100 mg DW of ferulic acid.…”

Rice Bran as a Functional Food: An Overview of the Conversion of Rice Bran into a Superfood/Functional Food

“…In addition, only γ-oryzanol treatment is more effective than FA in significantly decreasing the liver index and hepatic triglyceride content. Decreased serum C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels and increased serum adiponectin concentration confirmed that FA and γ-oryzanol can be used as dietary supplements to alleviate the deleterious effects of HFFD [57]. Adenosine, in particular, effectively mitigates metabolic syndrome in SHRSP [50].…”

“…Interestingly, the antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activities of rice bran have been reported in different animal model experiments [15][16][17]. Furthermore, the active components in processed rice bran promote health; indeed, the processing itself adds value to the rice bran [18,19]. Such treated rice bran may protect against metabolic syndrome by attenuating hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance; it is a candidate functional food because it prevents oxidative stress in rat and mouse models [20][21][22][23].…”

“…Specifically, basal glucose uptake is increased two to three fold, while mRNA levels of both GLUT1 and GLUT4 are upregulated [56]. γ-Oryzanol and FA ester with phytosterols-both of which are abundant in rice bran-prevent high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced metabolic syndrome [57]. In addition, only γ-oryzanol treatment is more effective than FA in significantly decreasing the liver index and hepatic triglyceride content.…”

Ferulic Acid Produced by Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 Reduces Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome in Drosophila melanogaster

“…Further, this study found that FA reduced the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) along with upregulating hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) [32]. FA at a dose of 2.6 mmol/kg diet was effective at reducing inflammatory, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia markers in a highfructose, high-fat diet-induced model of metabolic syndrome [33]. A similar study found that FA minimized insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction and remodeling in a rat model of high-carbohydrate, highfat diet-induced metabolic changes, which may be realized through suppression of oxidative stress, down-regulation of p47phox, increased nitric oxide bioavailability with up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and suppression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [34].…”