EFFECT OF CAPSINOIDS AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON THE MODULATION OF THE INFLAMMATORY PROFILE AND HEPATIC TISSUE IN OBESITY
Name: FABIANE MERIGUETI NUNES
Publication date: 16/12/2025
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANA PAULA LIMA LEOPOLDO | Presidente |
| ANDRE SOARES LEOPOLDO | Coorientador |
| DANILO SALES BOCALINI | Examinador Interno |
| FABIANA DE SANT’ANNA EVANGELISTA | Examinador Externo |
Summary: Introduction: Obesity is associated with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state,
which results in metabolic changes and promotes the development of Metabolic
Steatotic Liver Disease (MSLD). Physical exercise and natural compounds, such as
capsinoids, stand out for presenting benefits in energy expenditure, aiding in the loss
of body mass and adiposity, in addition, they suggest influencing the deposition of
hepatic fat. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of capsinoid
supplementation, combined or not with physical exercise, on the inflammatory profile
and liver tissue of rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Methods: Wistar rats
were randomly separated into two distinct groups according to the diet offered (DP/C
= standard/control diet or DH/Ob = high-fat/obese diet) to characterize obesity for 19
weeks. After this period, the Ob group was randomized regarding the absence or
presence of treatment with capsinoids (10 mg/kg/day) and/or aerobic physical exercise
for 8 weeks, being divided into Obese (Ob), Obese Capsinoids (ObCap), Obese
Trained (ObTr) and Obese Capsinoids Trained (ObCapTr). Body composition and
metabolic comorbidities were assessed using glycemic, hormonal, and inflammatory
parameters. Liver disease characterization and progression were evaluated. This
study was approved by CEUA-UFES nº08/22. Data normality was assessed using the
Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and
comparisons were performed using Student's t-test or two-way ANOVA with repeated
measures, followed by Tukey or Bonferroni post-hoc tests, adopting 5%. Results:
Final body mass, fat deposits, and total body fat were higher in the Ob group (Ob>C),
confirming the obesity induction protocol. In the obese groups undergoing treatment,
no effects on body composition were observed. Insulin, leptin, IL-10, and adiponectin
levels remained similar across groups. In contrast, ghrelin was reduced in all treated
groups (ObCap, ObTr and ObCapTr). VO2max increased significantly in the ObCapTr
group. The interventions were able to attenuate hepatic fat deposition in all treatment
groups (ObCap, ObTr and ObCapTr). Conclusion: Although the interventions
evaluated did not promote significant changes in body composition or inflammatory
parameters in obese individuals, with the exception of a reduction in ghrelin levels, the
combination of capsinoid treatment and physical exercise was effective in improving
aerobic capacity, as evidenced by an increase in VOmax. Significantly, all therapeutic
approaches were able to attenuate hepatic fat accumulation, preventing the
progression of MSLD, although with no additional effect from the combination of
treatments. These findings reinforce the interventions as promising strategies for
managing MSLD caused by obesity.
