Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) enhances HSP, PGC-1α expressions and improves glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese rats

Nutrition. 2015 May;31(5):740-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2014.11.009. Epub 2014 Dec 19.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chia seed and chia oil on heat shock protein (HSP) and related parameters in diet-induced obese rats.

Methods: Animals were divided in six groups: control, high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFF), and HFF with chia seed or chia oil in short (6-wk) and long (12-wk) treatments. Plasma indicators of glucose tolerance and liver damage, skeletal muscle expression of antioxidant enzymes, and proteins controlling oxidative energy metabolism were determined. The limit of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: The HFF diet induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and altered parameters related to obesity complications. The consumption of chia seed or chia oil did not reduce body weight gain or abdominal fat accumulation. However, chia seed and chia oil in both treatments improved glucose and insulin tolerance. Chia oil in both treatments induced expression of HSP70 and HSP25 in skeletal muscle. Short treatment with chia seed increased expression of HSP70, but not HSP25. Chia oil in both treatments restored superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase expression. Extended treatment with chia seed and short treatment with chia oil restored peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression.

Conclusion: Chia oil restored the antioxidant system and induced the expression of a higher number of proteins than chia seed. The present study demonstrated new properties and molecular mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of chia seed and chia oil consumption in diet-induced obese rats.

Keywords: Heat shock proteins; Insulin resistance; Obesity; Oxidative stress; Salvia hispanica.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects*
  • Diet / adverse effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Obesity / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Salvia*
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hspb1 protein, rat
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Plant Oils
  • Ppargc1a protein, rat
  • Transcription Factors
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase