Evaluating the Anti-Obesity Effects of Chitosan in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rat Model

Background : Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) exhibits hypolipidemic and anti-obesity properties. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether its efficiency exhibits sex-specific variations. Therefore, this study seeks to fill this gap, systematically evaluating the impact of chitosan oligosaccharides across genders under obesogenic conditions. Material and methods : 36 rats: 18 male, 18 female; split into 6 groups, each with equal male/female. G1 had a standard diet; G2 had a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, then standard for another 4 weeks; G3 had a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, then 500 mg/kg chitosan + standard diet for another 4 weeks. At the study's end, rats were euthanized, blood was collected for biochemical analysis, and liver tissues were excised for histological assessment. Results : Male rats on a high-fat diet displayed significantly elevated body weight, triglycerides, cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, ALT, AST, and total protein levels, coupled with noticeable liver damage compared to female rats. However, when treated with COS, male and female rats exhibited reduced weight, lowered triglycerides, cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, ALT, and AST levels, and improved liver function and structure. Interestingly, these therapeutic effects were more evident in female and male rats. Conclusion: The study found that COS administration to rats, especially females, reduced weight, and improved liver health, suggesting its potential gender-specific effects on a high-fat diet.