Kefir protects the liver against high fructose corn syrup induced phosphodiesterase hyperactivity

Abstract

Objectives Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) mediate several physiological activities, and alterations in PDE expressions might cause conflicts between functional and clinical effects. This study clarifies the eventual relationship between the hepatic insulin resistance-associated signaling elements and PDEs together with inflammatory markers and investigates the role of kefir in the treatment. Methods Male Wistar rats were grouped as Control, Kefir, HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup), and HFCS + Kefir. Daily HFCS (20% w/v) and kefir (1 mL/100 g weight) were given for 8-weeks. Hepatic expressions of PDE isoforms and insulin signaling elements were determined with qPCR and Western blot. The changes in hepatic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor-α (IGF-1Rα) were investigated histologically. Results HFCS upregulated hepatic PDEs while repressed primary insulin signaling elements at gene and protein levels. It also augmented cPLA2 and IGF-1Rα expression. Kefir suppressed the PDEs and normalized the insulin signaling, and down-regulated cPLA2 and IGF-1Rα in the liver of HFCS-fed rats. Conclusions The disruption of the insulin signaling pathway and activation of PDEs were negatively correlated in liver tissues of the HFCS-fed rats. Kefir treatment achieved a remarkable improvement in HFCS-dependent modifications, and it could be an excellent functional food against HFCS-induced insulin resistance, PDE hyperactivity, and inflammation.

Kefir Prevents Adipose Tissue Growth Through the Induction of Apoptotic Elements in High-Fructose Corn Syrup-Fed Rats

“…Probiotics are a mixture of beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts that occur naturally in the human body, and when combined with prebiotics, they have been shown to treat a variety of ailments such as allergies, gastrointestinal problems, and inflammation [Markowiak & Śliżewska, 2017]. Kefir, a fermented milk product classified as source of probiotics, comprises lactic and acetic acid bacteria in a polysaccharide matrix [Rosa et al, 2016] and has been found to have anti-viral [Hamida et al, 2021], anti-inflammatory [Akar et al, 2021;Pektaş et al, 2022], and anti-allergic properties [Barros et al, 2021]. It has also been demonstrated to prevent problems brought on by fructose or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) ingestion [Akar et al, 2021;Chen et al, 2016;Ekici et al, 2022a;Rosa et al, 2016].…”