SUBACUTE EFFECTS OF TRPV1 AGONIST ON ENERGY METABOLISM IN RATS

Abstract

Background: Red peppers are used as a spice for enhancing the palatability of food. Capsaicinoids are
responsible for 90% of total pungency of pepper fruits. They enhance energy metabolism and
thermogenesis. However, there is a little information about the effect of capsaicinoids on lipolysis and
carbohydrate metabolism. Aim of the work: the present study was designed to study the effects of CAP
on the serum glucose, free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol concentrations in rats. Method: 20 healthy,
adult, male albino rats weighing 240-250 gm were divided into 2 equal groups (n=10): Control group and
CAP treated group. CAP (dose 3mg/kg body weight / day) was administered via a S.C. injection for
consecutive 10 days.. Results: CAP increased markedly serum glucose concentration on day 1-10 as
compared with the control group while CAP increased serum FFA and glycerol concentrations on day 3-
10 as compared with the control group. CAP did not change the relative weight of white (perirenal and
periepididymal) adipose tissues and brown (interscapular) adipose tissue to body weight during the
experimental period as compared with the control group. Conclusions: CAP markedly elevated serum
glucose, FFA and gylecrol without significant changes in the relative weight of white (perirenal and
periepididymal) and brown (interscapular) adipose tissues in rats.
Keywords: Capsaicin, energy metabolism.