Safflower (Catharmus tinctoriusL.) oil supplementation in overnourished rats during early neonatal development: effects on heart and liver function in the adult

Abstract

Carthamus tinctorius L. (common name: safflower) is an herb whose extracted oil (safflower oil) has been employed in both alternative and conventional medicine in the treatment of disease. Overnutrition during early postnatal life can increase the lifetime risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Here we investigate the effect of safflower oil supplementation given during a critical early developmental stage on the eventual occurrence of metabolic disease in overnourished rats. Groups of overnourished or adequately nourished rats were randomly assigned into 2 additional groups for supplementation with either safflower oil (SF) or vehicle for 7 to 30 days. Murinometric data and weights were examined. Serum was collected for measurement of glucose, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. Heart and liver oxidative status were also measured. Overnutrition for 7-30 days induced a significant increase in body weight and in values for abdominal circumference, thoracic circumference, body length, and body mass index. SF supplementation did not attenuate the effect of overnutrition on any of these parameters. In addition, overnutrition increased levels of glucose, triglycerides, and very low-density lipid compared with normal controls, but SF supplementation had no effect on these parameters. Measures of oxidative status in heart or liver were not influenced by overnutrition. However, oxidative measures were altered by SF supplementation in both of these organs. The present study reveals that nutritional manipulation during early development induces detrimental effects on metabolism in the adult that are not ameliorated by supplemental SF.

Mitochondrial impairment following neonatal overfeeding: A comparison between normal and ischemic‐reperfused hearts

“…The sulfhydryl content is inversely correlated to oxidative damage to proteins, representing an important nonenzymatic antioxidant compound . The total and protein‐bound sulfhydryl group contents were determined as described by Aksenov and Markesbery .…”

“…2.6.6 | Total and protein-bound sulfhydryl group content The sulfhydryl content is inversely correlated to oxidative damage to proteins, representing an important nonenzymatic antioxidant compound. 29 The total and proteinbound sulfhydryl group contents were determined as described by Aksenov and Markesbery. 30 The reduction of 5,5-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) by thiol groups was measured in homogenates of 0.5 mg/mL heart, resulting in the generation of a yellow-stained compound, TNB, whose absorption is measured spectrophotometrically at 412 nm.…”

Serotonin transporter inhibition during neonatal period induces sex‐dependent effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics in the rat brainstem

“…As fluoxetine did not modulate the nonenzymatic antioxidant system, we believe that the decrease in ROS production with the concomitant increase in GST activity was not enough to reduce both lipids as protein oxidation. Besides, it has been proposed that protein oxidation underwent on amino acids residues, of which are mainly protected by nonenzymatic antioxidant system (Costa et al., ), herein represented by REDOX state and thiol content.…”

Neonatal treatment with fluoxetine improves mitochondrial respiration and reduces oxidative stress in liver of adult rats

“…A total of 0.3 mg/mL of tissue homogenate was used to measure TBARS levels following reaction with thiobarbituric acid (TBA), at 100°C according to the method of Draper . In this protocol, TBARS react to produce a pink pigment with a maximum absorption at 535 nm.…”

“…26 2.9 | Oxidative stress evaluation in liver 2.9.1 | Evaluation of substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) levels A total of 0.3 mg/mL of tissue homogenate was used to measure TBARS levels following reaction with thiobarbituric acid (TBA), at 100°C according to the method of Draper. 27 In this protocol, TBARS react to produce a pink pigment with a maximum absorption at 535 nm. The reaction was developed by the addition to the sample of 30% trichloroacetic acid and Tris-HCl (3 mmol/L) followed by thorough mixing and centrifugation at 1180g for 10 min.…”