Taurine supplementation regulates I[kappa]-B[alpha] protein expression in adipose tissue and serum IL-4 and TNF-[alpha] concentrations in MSG obesity

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 56; no. 2; p. 705
• Main Authors: Caetano, Luiz Carlos, Bonfleur, Maria Lúcia, Ribeiro, Rosane Aparecida, Nardelli, Tarlliza Romanna, Lubaczeuski, Camila, Do Nascimento Da Silva, Juliana, Carneiro, Everardo Magalhães, Balbo, Sandra Lucinei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Body fat
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-015-1114-8

Purpose Obesity is usually associated with low-grade inflammation, which impairs insulin action. The amino acid, taurine (TAU), regulates glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism and presents anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we evaluated whether inflammatory markers are altered in the serum and retroperitoneal adipose tissue of monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rats, supplemented or not with TAU. Methods Male Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of MSG (4 mg/kg body weight/day, MSG group) or hypertonic saline (CTL) during the first 5 days of life. From 21 to 120 days of age, half of each of the MSG and CTL groups received 2.5 % TAU in their drinking water (CTAU and MTAU). Results At 120 days of age, MSG rats were obese and hyperinsulinemic. TAU supplementation reduced fat deposition without affecting insulinemia in MTAU rats. MSG rats presented increased pI[kappa]-B[alpha]/I[kappa]-B[alpha] protein expression in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue. TAU supplementation decreased the ratio of pI[kappa]-B[alpha]/I[kappa]-B[alpha] protein, possibly contributing to the increased I[kappa]-B[alpha] content in MTAU adipose tissue. Furthermore, MSG obesity or supplementation did not alter TNF-[alpha], IL-1[beta] or IL-6 content in adipose tissue. In contrast, MSG rats presented lower serum TNF-[alpha], IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations, and these alterations were prevented by TAU treatment. Conclusion MSG obesity in rats was not associated with alterations in pro-inflammatory markers in retroperitoneal fat stores; however, reductions in the serum concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines and of TNF-[alpha] were observed. TAU treatment decreased adiposity, and this effect was associated with the normalization of circulating TNF-[alpha] and IL-4 concentrations in MTAU rats.