Grape seed and skin extract as an adjunct to xenical therapy reduces obesity, brain lipotoxicity and oxidative stress in high fat diet fed rats.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health problem and a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) and Xenical (Xe) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and brain lipotoxicity. METHOD: Rats were rendered obese and then treated either with vehicle (control) or GSSE (4g/kg bw) or Xe (1, 2, 4 or 8mg/kg bw) or (GSSE+Xe) and monitored for weight loss during 3 months. Animals were then sacrificed and their brain utilised for the evaluation of lipotoxicity-induced oxidative stress as well as the putative protection offered by GSSE and Xe treatment. RESULTS: As expected HFD-induced body and adipose tissue weight gain, dyslipidemia, accumulation of lipid into the brain, a drop in adiponectin, increased oxidative stress and disruption of Mn, Ca2+ and of related enzyme activities as glutamine synthetase and calpain. Xe alone exerted anti-obesity effect during the first 2 months and became inefficient thereafter. GSSE per se exhibited potent anti-obesity effect whereas the combination (GSSE+Xe), by acting in concert, was the most efficient against obesity and brain lipotoxicity. GSSE acted partially through its anti-oxidative properties, whereas Xe did not. CONCLUSION: Combining GSSE with Xe improved outcomes in body weight and fat reduction as well as in brain lipotoxicity.