Effect of consumption of Citrus aurantifolia (lemon) peel on the modulation of lipid metabolism in rats with induced fatty liver

Samaniego Tiahuallpa F.B.; Paredes Contreras J.H.; Córdova Yamauchi S.; Segovia Cueva B.A.; Huamán Gutiérrez O.G. · Nutricion Clinica y Dietetica Hospitalaria (2025) · DOI: 10.12873/454samaniego

Resumen

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of ingesting powdered Citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel on the modulation of lipid metabolism in rats with induced fatty liver disease. Materials and methods: An experimental, prospective, and analytical study was conducted using an animal model. Thirty male Holtzman rats were used, randomly distributed into five groups (n=6). The Citrus aurantifolia peel powder was obtained through dehydration and pulverization. Groups I and II received a normal diet, while groups III, IV, and V received a diet supplemented with C. aurantifolia peel powder at 1%, 3%, and 9%, respectively, for 22 days. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering a solution of 15% fructose and 5% ethanol in the drinking water to groups II through V. At the end of the treatment, the levels of triglycerides, PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and SREBP and histological analysis were determined in hepatic tissue. Results Group II showed a significant increase in triglyceride and SREBP values (148 ± 40 ng/mg protein and 4.69 ± 1.02 ng/mg protein) compared to Group I (88.3 ±21.4 ng/mg protein and 3.12 ± 0.97 ng/mg protein) (p < 0.05). The groups supplemented with the powder at 1% (95.5 ± 18.1), 3% (89.4 ± 18.3), and 9% (82.3 ± 22.3) showed a significant reduction in triglycerides compared to Group II (p < 0.05). Group V evidenced a significant reduction in SREBP (2.42 ± 1.60) compared to Group II (p < 0.05). Histologically, groups III, IV, and V showed micro and macrovesicular steatosis in 66% of the tissue and focal ballooning degeneration, unlike Group II which presented steatosis in 33% of the tissue, without ballooning degeneration. Conclusion: Ingestion of powdered Citrus aurantifolia (lime) peel has a hepatoprotective effect, expressed by the decrease in triglycerides and SREBP in rats consuming ethanol and fructose.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos