High fructose diet-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats: Preventive effects of yoyo cleanser bitters

Abstract

Background: Modern diets high in fructose, have been associated with increased inflammation and oxidative stress, however, herbal remedies like Yoyo cleanser bitters (Yoyo) have been suggested as possible remedies. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine if co-administration of Yoyo cleanser bitters could prevent inflammation and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats fed with a high fructose diet

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats, approximately 200g each, were divided into four groups namely: control, high fructose diet with fructose water (HFD+FW), HFD+FW with Atorvastatin (0.57 mg/kg), and HFD+FW with Yoyo (600 mg/kg), groups. After a 28-day experimental period, blood samples were assessed for highly sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), using standard methods.

Results: Rats on the high fructose diet only displayed significantly (P<0.05) elevated Hs-CRP (0.63±0.04 mg/dl) and MDA (0.32±0.01 µM) levels, compared to the control rats (0.27±0.01 mg/dl; 0.10±0.01 µM). Both Atorvastatin and Yoyo significantly (P<0.05) prevented the elevation of Hs-CRP (Atorvastatin: 0.28±0.00 mg/dl; Yoyo: 0.29±0.01 mg/dl), while only Yoyo Cleanser bitters significantly (P<0.05) prevented the increase in MDA level (0.08±0.02 µM) when compared to the HFD+FW group. Additionally, the high fructose diet significantly (P<0.05) reduced TAC, but both Atorvastatin (0.38±0.03 µmol/ml) and Yoyo (0.47±0.04 µmol/ml) prevented the reduction of TAC when compared to the HFD+FW group (0.21±0.06 µmol/ml).

Conclusion: Yoyo cleanser bitters attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress induced by high fructose intake, thus suggesting that its co-administration has some preventive therapeutic potential.