A ANTI-OBESITY AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY TRYPSIN INHIBITOR FROM TAMARIND REDUCES FOOD INTAKE AND IMPROVES INFLAMMATORY STATUS IN RATS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME

Background and objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an obesity-based condition characterized by the presence of insulin resistance (IR), high blood pressure and dyslipidemia. MetS clinical features include endothelial dysfunction and a pro-oxidant, pro-thrombotic, inflammatory condition. Trypsin inhibitors are studied in a variety of models for their anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory bioactive properties. Our group has previously demonstrated the satietogenic effect of tamarind seed trypsin inhibitors (TTI) in eutrophic rat models and anti-inflammatory effects of other trypsin inhibitors. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the effect of TTI on satiety and inflammatory parameters in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Three groups of n=5 male Wistar rats with obesity-based MetS received for 10 days one of the following: 1) Cafeteria diet; 2) Cafeteria diet + TTI (25 mg/Kg); 3) Standard diet. Results: TTI reduced food intake in animals with MetS. Nevertheless, weight gain was not different between studied groups. IL-6 production did not differ between groups. Interestingly, TNF-a was lower in animals receiving TTI. Conclusions: Our results corroborate the satietogenic effect of TTI in a MetS model. Furthermore, we showed that TTI added to a cafeteria diet may decrease inflammation regardless of weight loss. This puts TTI as a candidate for studies to test its effectiveness as an adjuvant in MetS treatment.