EFFECT OF BERGAMOT (CITRUS BERGAMIA) ON METABOLIC, REDOX, AND INFLAMMATORY PARAMETERS IN THE ADIPOSE TISSUE-LIVER AXIS IN AN EXPERIMENTAL OBESITY MODEL

Obesity affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, driven by the consumption of sugar- and fat-enriched foods. This scenario promotes metabolic, inflammatory, and redox changes in adipose tissue (AT) and hepatic steatosis. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), a flavonoid- and polyphenol-rich fruit found in southern Italy, emerges as a potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of bergamot on metabolic, redox, and inflammatory parameters in the adipose tissue-liver axis using an experimental model of obesity. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups for 20 weeks and fed different diets: control diet (C, n=7), control diet+Bergamot (C+B, n=7), high-sugar-fat diet (HSF, n=7), and high-sugar-fat diet+Bergamot (HSF+B, n=7). Bergamot was administered via gavage at 250 mg/kg/day. At the end of the experiment, the following were evaluated: adiposity index; plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT); systolic blood pressure (SBP); and in AT and liver, oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, protein carbonylation, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE)) and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 10 (IL-10)). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test (p<0.05). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use (1337/2019). After 20 weeks, the HSF-fed rats had higher adiposity index, TG, SBP, AST, and ALT levels than the C group. The HSF+B group showed significant reductions in all these parameters compared with the HSF group, indicating a preventive effect of bergamot. In both tissues, bergamot supplementation (HSF+B group) ameliorated the HSF-mediated increase in oxidative stress markers (except for 4-HNE in the liver). Regarding inflammatory markers, while the HSF group displayed a pro-inflammatory profile, bergamot supplementation (HSF+B) also reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels and increased IL-10 levels in both tissues. Data indicated that bergamot prevents obesity-induced metabolic alterations, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, most likely associated with its bioactive compounds, should be considered in future translational studies on obesity-associated metabolic complications. The authors acknowledge FAPESP (2021/13050-2) and CAPES (88887.820840/2023-00) for funding.