Dietary supplementation with Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) flour improves metabolic parameters reducing hepatic inflammatory markers in obese mice

The edible insect dietary supplementation option for nutritional disturbances is a promising scientific investigation field, especially in the obesity context. The aim of the present study was to evaluated the Madagascar cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) flour (CF) influence on the body composition, biochemical profile and inflammatory markers in obese mice liver. Mice were divided in four groups: Control AIN-93, AIN-93+Madagascar cockroach flour (AIN93+CF), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD+Madagascar cockroach flour (HFD+CF). The groups were treated for eight weeks (4 weeks of obesity induction + 4 weeks supplemented with CF isocaloric diet). Body composition, biochemical levels and molecular markers were evaluated. The main results showed a decreased fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and pyruvic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase in the HFD-CF treated animals compared to HFD. Moreover, it was observed a decreased liver interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) inflammatory markers expression in HFD+CF mice. These data reveal that Madagascar cockroach flour may be a useful dietary supplement to improve biochemical and inflammatory obesity alterations.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Madagascar cockroach flour on body composition, biochemistry, and inflammation in the liver of obese mice. The results showed that the group treated with HFD-CF had lower levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and pyruvic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase compared to the HFD group. Additionally, the HFD+CF group exhibited reduced levels of liver interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) expression. These findings suggest that Madagascar cockroach flour may serve as a beneficial dietary supplement to improve biochemical and inflammatory alterations caused by obesity.