Transcriptomic Analysis of the Protective Effect of Piperine on Orlistat Hepatotoxicity in Obese Male Wistar Rats

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of noncommunicable diseases that impair the quality of life. Orlistat is one of the most widely used drugs in the management of obesity due to its accessibility and low cost. However, cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported due to the consumption of this drug. On the other hand, piperine is an alkaloid found in black pepper that has demonstrated antiobesity, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, prebiotic, and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of piperine on the toxicity of orlistat in liver tissue. Obese male rats were administered piperine (30 mg/kg), orlistat (60 mg/kg), and the orlistat-piperine combination (30 mg/kg + 60 mg/kg) daily for 6 weeks. It was observed that the orlistat-piperine treatment resulted in greater weight loss, decreased biochemical markers (lipid profile, liver enzymes, pancreatic lipase activity), and histopathological analysis showed decreased hepatic steatosis and reduction of duodenal inflammation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the administration of piperine with orlistat increased the expression of genes related to the beta-oxidation of fatty acids, carbohydrate metabolism, detoxification of xenobiotics, and response to oxidative stress. Therefore, the results suggest that the administration of orlistat-piperine activates signaling pathways that confer a hepatoprotective effect, reducing the toxic impact of this drug.