The Role of Capsinoids in the Inflammatory Profile and Morphophysiological Characterization of Liver Tissue in Obese Rats Induced by a High-Fat Diet
Name: LUISA MARTINS SIMMER
Publication date: 23/09/2025
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANA PAULA LIMA LEOPOLDO | Presidente |
| ANDRESSA BOLSONI LOPES | Examinador Interno |
| DIJON HENRIQUE SALOMÉ DE CAMPOS | Examinador Externo |
Summary: Introduction: Among the morbidities triggered by obesity that can cause systemic damage,
there is fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (FHD), whose progression
stems from the composition of lipid molecules in the liver. The growing search for natural and
functional foods as an alternative to improve health highlights peppers, due to their wide use.
Capsinoids, bioactive compounds present in peppers of the genus Capsicum annuum, have been
trained to promote weight loss and increased caloric expenditure.Objective: To investigate the
influence of capsnoid treatment on the prevention of liver disease based on inflammatory and
hepatic parameters in obese rats. Methods: Wistar rats were induced, maintained, and
redistributed after developing obesity induced by a high-fat diet, subjected to either the absence
or presence of capsinoids treatment for 8 weeks. At the end of the 27-week experimental
protocol, the animals were euthanized, and blood, plasma, adipose tissue, and liver tissue were
collected for morphometric analyses. This study was approved by CEUA-UFES nº08/22. Data
analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, and results are
expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Comparisons between groups were performed using
Student's t-test, and comparisons of body mass evolution and the glucose tolerance test (GTT)
were performed using a two-way ANOVA in a repeated measures model, complemented by
Bonferroni's multiple comparisons test. Data analysis and graphs were performed using the
Graphpad Prism 8 statistical program, and the significance level was 5%. Results: The obese
group (Ob), compared to the control group (C), showed higher values for body mass, caloric
intake, glycemic levels, area under the glucose curve, and higher hormonal dosages of insulin,
leptin, and cholesterol. However, a lower value for food intake was observed. In the capsinoid
treated group (ObCap), when compared to the Ob group, no statistical differences were
observed in the parameters of body mass, food intake, caloric intake, feed efficiency, adiposity
index, morphometric analysis of adipose tissue, glycemic profile, and inflammatory profile.
However, there was a reduction in plasma levels of ghrelin and cholesterol. Regarding the
diagnosis and degree of progression of GAD, the ObCap animals showed a decrease in the
amount of hepatic fat (ObCap<Ob), as well as an attenuation of GAD progression, even though
this consideration was not statistically different. Conclusion: Treatment with capsinoids
promoted a decrease in ghrelin, cholesterol, and hepatic fat accumulation, and also attenuated
the progression of HBV in animals, which may be promising in combating chronic diseases,
especially those related to lipid metabolism. However, it was not effective in promoting benefits
on inflammatory parameters in the condition of obesity.
