Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism-Related Organs in Rats Fed an Obesogenic Diet

Abstract

Studies conducted in mice have revealed positive effects of punicic acid (PUA). The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of PUA on fat accumulation and glycemic control in rats fed an obesogenic diet. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group and PUA group (diet supplemented with 0.5% PUA). No changes were observed in adipose tissue weights. The glucose tolerance test showed that the glycemic value in the PUA group had decreased significantly at the final time (120 min) (-19.3%), as had fructosamine levels (-11.1%). However, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) showed that insulin resistance did not improve. No changes were observed in the liver, skeletal muscle composition, or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) activation. Low levels (mg/g tissue) of PUA (0.04 ± 0.01 in both tissues) and higher levels of cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (0.31 ± 0.08 in liver, 0.52 ± 0.11 in muscle) were found. PUA supplementation induced hypoplasia (-16.1%) due to the antiproliferative effect on hepatocytes. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.5% PUA did not lead to decreased fat accumulation in adipose tissue, liver, or skeletal muscle, or to improved glycemic control. The hypoplasia induced in liver is a negative effect that should be considered before proposing PUA as a functional ingredient.

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“…A similar study was performed by Miranda et al That used diet with 0.5% PA in rats. The results of this study showed no changes in adipose tissue weights and insulin resistance, but the glycemic value in the PA group had decreased, significantly 77 . Improvement in insulin sensitivity is associated with reducing the risk of developing type 2diabetes.…”

“…An interesting result from this research was hypoplasia induced in the liver due to the anti-proliferative effect on hepatocytes increased transaminase levels. Also, this issue should be considered before proposing PA as a functional ingredient 77 . Another study performed by Yamasaki et al with diets containing 0%, 0.12%, or 1.2% PSO for 3 weeks, showed a meaningful increase in serum triacylglycerol and phospholipid levels but not in total cholesterol in the PSO treated groups 43 .…”

Effects of pomegranate seed oil on metabolic state of patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…have shown PA did not decrease the fat accumulation in liver and other organs of rats fed an obesogenic diet and did not lead to improve glycemic control. [20] Nekooeian et al . investigated the impact of PSO Type 2 diabetic rats.…”

Pomegranate oil as a valuable pharmaceutical and nutraceutical

“…In addition, pomegranate oil in rat diets has been shown to significantly decrease glycemic values but not significant change fat accumulation in adipose tissue, liver, or skeletal muscles .…”