Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seed improves skeletal muscle lipotoxicity and insulin sensitivity in rats fed a sucrose-rich diet by modulating intramuscular lipid metabolism

Abstract

This study investigates the possible mechanisms involved in the beneficial effect of chia seed on skeletal muscle lipotoxicity and insulin resistance in rats fed a sucrose-rich diet (SRD). Results showed that chia seed reduced the increased lipid content in the skeletal muscle of SRD-fed rats. This was accompanied by an increase of muscle-type carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 enzyme activity, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ) and phosphorylated AMP activated protein kinase protein levels. Moreover, the precursor and mature forms of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and lipogenic enzyme activities were decreased. Fatty acid translocase FAT/CD 36 and n-3/n-6 fatty acids ratio of membrane phospholipids were increased. This work shows that an increase in the key factors levels associated with muscle oxidative capacity and a reduction in the lipogenic pathway would be some mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of chia seed on skeletal muscle lipotoxicity in insulin resistant SRD-fed rats.