Ingestion of Bean Leaves Reduces Metabolic Complications and Restores Intestinal Integrity in C57BL/6 Mice with Obesity Induced by a High-Fat and High-Fructose Diet

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 16; no. 3; p. 367
• Main Authors: Ocampo-Anguiano, Perla Viridiana, Victoria-Ruiz, Laura Lizeth, Reynoso-Camacho, Rosalía, Olvera-Ramírez, Andrea Margarita, Rocha-Guzmán, Nuria Elizabeth, Ramos-Gómez, Minerva, Ahumada-Solórzano, Santiaga Marisela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 26.01.2024
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Animals; bean leaves; Calibration; Carbohydrates; Dextran; Diet; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Dietary fiber; Eating; Ethanol; Flavonoids; Fructose; Fructose - adverse effects; Fructose - metabolism; Insulin resistance; intestinal integrity; Lipids; Metabolism; Metabolites; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; obesity treatment; Oils & fats; Permeability; Phenols; Physiological aspects; Phytochemicals; Saponins; Seeds; Mexico; United States > US; obesity treatment; bean leaves; intestinal integrity
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu16030367

Consumption of foods with fiber and compounds can promote gastrointestinal health and reduce obesity complications. Therefore, treatment with common bean leaves (BL) against obesity was evaluated in mice with a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD) for 14 weeks. The bromatological and phytochemical characterization of BL were determined. Afterwards, the animals were supplemented with BL (10%) or a standard diet (SD) as a strategy to encourage a healthy diet for 12 additional weeks. Changes in body composition, lipid profile, and intestinal integrity were analyzed. The characterization of BL stood out for its content of 27.2% dietary fiber, total phenolics (475.04 mg/100 g), and saponins (2.2 mg/100 g). The visceral adipose tissue (VAT) decreased in the BL group by 52% compared to the HFFD group. Additionally, triglyceride levels were 23% lower in the BL consumption group compared to the HFFD group. The improvement in lipid profile was attributed to the 1.77-fold higher fecal lipid excretion in the BL consumption group compared to the HFFD group and the inhibition of pancreatic lipase by 29%. Furthermore, BL supplementation reduced the serum levels of IL-6 (4.4-fold) and FITC-dextran by 50% compared with those in the HFFD group. Metabolic endotoxemia was inhibited after BL supplementation (-33%) compared to the HFFD group. BL consumption as a treatment in obese mice reduces adipose tissue accumulation and improves the lipid profile. Furthermore, we report for the first time that BL consumption improves intestinal integrity.