A White Grape Juice Extract Reduces Fat Accumulation through the Modulation of Ghrelin and Leptin Expression in an In Vivo Model of Overfed Zebrafish |
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Authors: | Giuseppe Montalbano,Alessandro Maugeri,Maria Cristina Guerrera,Natalizia Miceli,Michele Navarra,Davide Barreca,Santa Cirmi,Antonino Germanà |
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Affiliation: | 1.Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (G.M.); (M.C.G.); (A.G.);2.Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.M.); (N.M.); (M.N.); (D.B.);3.Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70125 Bari, Italy |
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Abstract: | A caloric surplus and a sedentary lifestyle are undoubtedly known to be the leading causes of obesity. Natural products represent valuable allies to face this problematic issue. This study was planned to assess the effect of a white grape (Vitis vinifera) juice extract (WGJe) in diet-induced obese zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish were divided into four different diet groups: (i) normally fed (NF); (ii) overfed (OF); (iii) WGJe-supplemented NF (5 mL/L in fish water); (iv) WGJe-supplemented OF. Body mass index (BMI) was extrapolated each week. After the fourth week, euthanized zebrafish were processed for both microscopic evaluations and gene expression analyses. OF zebrafish showed higher BMI values with respect to NF counterparts, an effect that was hindered by WGJe treatment. Moreover, histological analyses showed that the area of the adipose tissue, as well as the number, size, and density of adipocytes was significantly higher in OF fish. On the other hand, WGJe was able to avoid these outcomes both at the subcutaneous and visceral levels, albeit to different extents. At the gene level, WGJe restored the altered levels of ghrelin and leptin of OF fish both in gut and brain. Overall, our results support the anti-obesity property of WGJe, suggesting its potential role in weight management. |
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Keywords: | polyphenols flavonoids zebrafish diet-induced obesity white grape juice Vitis vinifera lipolysis Danio rerio |
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