Efeito do inibidor de tripsina isolado da semente de tamarindo (Tamarindus indica L.) nanoencapsulado sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e histopatológicos do fígado de ratos Wistar alimentados com dieta de alto índice glicêmico

Abstract

There has been a nutritional transition based on diets composed of foods with a high glycemic index and a high glycemic load and ultra-processed foods worldwide. This, associated with other factors, is crucial for increasing the obesity prevalence and various diseases, including the disease Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFLD). NAFLD ranges from steatosis and steatohepatitis to severe conditions, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD treatment is a clinical necessity not answered. Thus, several studies have sought new therapies not only for NAFLD but also for obesity. Among them, we highlight the findings related to the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) nanoencapsulated in chitosan and whey protein isolated (ECW). Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of ECW on the liver status of Wistar rats fed a high glycemic index and high glycemic load diet (HGLI diet). First, nanoparticles with and without TTI, respectively ECW and CW, were obtained by the technique of nanoprecipitation in an organic solvent and, characterized by morphology (SEM), particle size (Laser diffraction), chemical interactions (FTIR), and efficiency of encapsulation. The animals were divided into four groups, containing five animals, each treated for ten days with 1. HGLI diet and water (1 mL), 2. standard diet and water (1 mL), 3. HGLI diet and ECW (12.5 mg/kg in 1 mL), and 4. HGLI diet and CW (10.0 mg/kg in 1 mL). The hematological biochemical parameters of renal and hepatic involvement were evaluated (liver enzymes, AST/ALT ratio), lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and insulin resistance, and β-cell homeostasis model (HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, respectively). Besides, liver scores FIB-4 (Fibrosis-4 Index for Liver Fibrosis) and APRI (AST to Platelet Ratio Index) were also investigated, and the liver histopathology of the animals was evaluated. Given the results, smooth, spherical nanoparticles were obtained in nanometric diameter (120.7 nm) containing TTI. In animals, ECW reduced (p < 0,05) fasting blood glucose levels by 17%, AST in 39%, and alkaline phosphatase in 24%, also significantly reduced (p < 0,05) the two scores of assessment of liver fibrosis, APRI, and FIB-4, and presented a better aspect of liver morphology when compared to the other groups. Thus, it was possible to show that the ECW promoted a new functionality for the isolated TTI, promoting benefits on the liver injury caused by the HGLI diet, considering the biochemical, morphological, and liver fibrosis evaluation parameters.