The Effects of the Combination of Buckwheat D-Fagomine and Fish Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Oxidative Stress and Related Risk Factors in Pre-Obese Rats

The combined supplementation of buckwheat D-fagomine (FG) and fish omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) attenuates the development of insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. This study aimed to examine the effects of combined supplementation with FG and omega-3 PUFA on dyslipidemia, transaminases, interleukin-6, and oxidative stress. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard diet, an HF diet, an HF diet supplemented with FG, an HF diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFA, or an HF diet supplemented with FG and omega-3 PUFA for 21 weeks. Triacylglycerol, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and interleukin-6 were measured. The assessment of oxidative stress included plasma antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione content, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. The combined supplementation with FG and omega-3 PUFA did not attenuate the slight accumulation of liver cholesterol induced by the HF diet but normalized the plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. Rats fed the HF diet supplemented with the combination showed a lower amount of plasma interleukin-6 than those fed a standard diet. The combination attenuated oxidative damage induced by the HF diet, decreased antioxidant enzyme activities, and enhanced glutathione status. The beneficial effects of the combination of FG and omega-3 PUFA on oxidative stress and related risk factors in pre-obese rats were mainly modulated by omega-3 PUFA.

Automated summary

The combination of buckwheat D-fagomine (FG) and fish omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) was found to have beneficial effects on attenuating insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet in rats. This combination also reduced dyslipidemia, liver enzyme levels, interleukin-6, and oxidative stress. Omega-3 PUFA played a key role in modulating the beneficial effects of the combination on oxidative stress and related risk factors in pre-obese rats.