Pectin supplementation in rats mitigates age-related impairment in insulin and leptin sensitivity independently of reducing food intake.

Scope: This study investigates whether pectin supplementation in adult rats can ameliorate age-associated disturbances in peripheral insulin and leptin actions.

Methods And Results: Seven-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (rats fed ad libitum a standard-diet), pectin (rats fed ad libitum a standard-diet supplemented with 10% pectin), and pair-fed (rats pair-fed to the pectin group). They were sacrificed after 1 month. Pectin and pair-fed rats showed lower body weight gain and food intake than controls and underwent a decrease in leptin levels and an increase in adiponectin levels. Pectin-treated animals, but not pair-fed ones, showed lower body-fat content and HOMA-IR index after dietary intervention. Compared to controls, pectin-treated rats showed a decline in the expression of genes related to energy uptake (WAT) and lipogenesis (WAT and liver), and increased expression levels of lipolysis- and fatty-acid oxidation-related genes (liver). Some of the changes were not evidenced in the pair-fed group. These effects appear to be associated with improved leptin signaling.

Conclusion: Ten percent pectin supplementation for 1 month in adult rats decreases body-fat content and ameliorates age-related insulin and leptin resistance more intensely than what could be attributed to the decrease in energy intake, overall contributing to better metabolic health.