open access

Vol 66, No 6 (2015)
Original paper
Submitted: 2014-12-31
Accepted: 2015-06-25
Published online: 2015-12-07
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The effect of L-arginine and ascorbic acid on the visceral fat and the concentrations of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in high-fat-diet rats

Magdalena Kujawska-Łuczak, Joanna Suliburska, Leszek Markuszewski, Danuta Pupek-Musialik, Anna Jabłecka, Paweł Bogdański
DOI: 10.5603/EP.2015.0065
·
Pubmed: 26662652
·
Endokrynol Pol 2015;66(6):526-532.

open access

Vol 66, No 6 (2015)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2014-12-31
Accepted: 2015-06-25
Published online: 2015-12-07

Abstract

Introduction: L-arginine (L-arg) and vitamin C supplementation may decrease fat accumulation and have a favourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. This is partly caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are involved in adipocyte development and remodelling. Our study evaluated the effects of L-arg and vitamin C supplementation on the content of visceral fat (VF%), activity of MMPs, and insulin resistance (IR) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Material and methods: The experiment was performed using 48 Wistar rats divided into four groups: Group 1 was fed a standard diet, Group 2 a HFD, Group 3 a HFD supplemented with L-arg (A), and Group 4 a HFD supplemented with L-arg and vitamin C (AC). The animals were euthanized after six weeks. The concentrations of serum glucose, insulin, MMP-2, and MMP-9, as well as IR by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) and VF% were measured.

Results: Statistically significant increases in VF%, MMP-2, MMP-9, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels were observed in the HFD group when compared to the control group. A smaller increase in VF%, insulin, and HOMA-IR was seen in Group 3 (A) and 4 (AC). L-arg supplementation protected against increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Group 3 (A) and 4 (AC).

Conclusions:

  1. L-arginine could protect from an increase in visceral fat through a change in the activity of MMPs and amelioration of insulin sensitivity in rats fed a HFD.
  2. The addition of vitamin C did not improve the effects of L-arginine supplementation. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (6): 526–532)

Abstract

Introduction: L-arginine (L-arg) and vitamin C supplementation may decrease fat accumulation and have a favourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. This is partly caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are involved in adipocyte development and remodelling. Our study evaluated the effects of L-arg and vitamin C supplementation on the content of visceral fat (VF%), activity of MMPs, and insulin resistance (IR) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Material and methods: The experiment was performed using 48 Wistar rats divided into four groups: Group 1 was fed a standard diet, Group 2 a HFD, Group 3 a HFD supplemented with L-arg (A), and Group 4 a HFD supplemented with L-arg and vitamin C (AC). The animals were euthanized after six weeks. The concentrations of serum glucose, insulin, MMP-2, and MMP-9, as well as IR by Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) and VF% were measured.

Results: Statistically significant increases in VF%, MMP-2, MMP-9, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels were observed in the HFD group when compared to the control group. A smaller increase in VF%, insulin, and HOMA-IR was seen in Group 3 (A) and 4 (AC). L-arg supplementation protected against increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Group 3 (A) and 4 (AC).

Conclusions:

  1. L-arginine could protect from an increase in visceral fat through a change in the activity of MMPs and amelioration of insulin sensitivity in rats fed a HFD.
  2. The addition of vitamin C did not improve the effects of L-arginine supplementation. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (6): 526–532)
Get Citation

Keywords

L-arginin; visceral fat; metaloproteinases; rats; high-fat diet

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About this article
Title

The effect of L-arginine and ascorbic acid on the visceral fat and the concentrations of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in high-fat-diet rats

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 66, No 6 (2015)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

526-532

Published online

2015-12-07

Page views

1622

Article views/downloads

2560

DOI

10.5603/EP.2015.0065

Pubmed

26662652

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2015;66(6):526-532.

Keywords

L-arginin
visceral fat
metaloproteinases
rats
high-fat diet

Authors

Magdalena Kujawska-Łuczak
Joanna Suliburska
Leszek Markuszewski
Danuta Pupek-Musialik
Anna Jabłecka
Paweł Bogdański

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