Role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate as a key regulator of energy homeostasis in rats

Abstract

Energy homeostasis refers to the balance between energy intake, including the intake through the form of food and drinks, and energy expenditure, including resting energy expenditure (basal metabolism) and physical activity over a prolonged period in adult animals. Obesity results from an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure which leads to accumulation of body fats resulting in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Weight lowering and antihyperlipidemic agents from medicinal plants are extensively used recently due to their safety and efficacy. To evaluate the effect of black pepper and coffee extracts on chronic and acute experimental induced obesity and energy homeostasis, rats were divided into ten groups including control, high-fat diet (HFD), triton, HFD+triton, black pepper+HFD, black pepper+HFD+triton, coffee+HFD, coffee+HFD+triton, mixture+HFD and mixture+HFD+triton groups. Body mass index (BMI), food efficiency intake (FEI) and body weight gain (BWG) were calculated. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, and insulin resistance were estimated. Lipid profile, liver, and kidney functions were measured, serum and brain cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and brain neurotransmitters were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, histopathology of the liver was performed.