ß-Caryophyllene: A Therapeutic Alternative for Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction Caused by Obesity.

Obesity is an excessive accumulation of fat that exacerbates the metabolic and inflammatory processes. Studies associate these processes with conditions and dysregulation in the intestinal tract, increased concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the blood, differences in the abundance of intestinal microbiota, and the production of secondary metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. ß-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory properties and with the potential purpose of fighting metabolic diseases. A diet-induced obesity model was performed in 16-week-old C57BL/6 mice administered with BCP [50 mg/kg]. A reduction in the expression of Claudin-1 was observed in the group with a high-fat diet (HFD), which was caused by the administration of BCP; besides BCP, the phylaAkkermansia and Bacteroidetes decreased between the groups with a standard diet (STD) vs. HFD. Nevertheless, the use of BCP in the STD increased the expression of these phyla with respect to fatty acids; a similar effect was observed, in the HFD group that had a decreasing concentration that was restored with the use of BCP. The levels of endotoxemia and serum leptin increased in the HFD group, while in the HFD + BCP group, similar values were found to those of the STD group, attributing the ability to reduce these in conditions of obesity.

Alliin, an Allium sativum Nutraceutical, ReducesMetaflammation Markers in DIO Mice.

Obesity generates a chronic low-grade inflammatory state which promotes oxidativestress and triggers comorbidities. Alliin is the main organosulfur compound in garlic and has beenshown to induce a decrease in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines; its systemic effect onmetabolic parameters and adipose tissue is not yet known, however. After nine weeks of HFD andwith obesity established in C57BL/6 mice, we observed that a daily treatment with alliin for 3.5weeks (15 mg/kg) did not affect body weight, but significantly improved insulin sensitivity andglucose tolerance, both evaluated through a blood glucose monitoring system. Once alliin treatmentwas completed, serum, adipose tissue, and organs of interest related to metabolism were removedfor further analysis. We observed that alliin significantly decreased the size of adipocytes fromepididymal adipose tissue, evaluated via microscopy. A decrease in gene expression and serumprotein levels of the adipocytokines leptin and resistin, as well as decreased serum IL-6concentration, were detected by qRT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. It did not, however, affectmRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Taken altogether, these results indicate thattreatment with alliin reduces metaflammation markers in DIO mice and improves some metabolicparameters without affecting others.