Effect of Supplementation with Red Rooibos Tea on Body Composition, Metabolic Outcomes, and Movement in...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Nutritional Science
• Animal Models

Background:

• Menopause is linked to increased visceral fat, decreased lean mass, and reduced energy expenditure.
• The ovariectomized (OVX) rat model simulates these menopausal changes, serving as a platform for testing interventions.
• Red rooibos (RR), rich in polyphenols, was investigated for its potential to counteract estrogen deficiency effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of red rooibos (RR) consumption in mitigating body composition, metabolic, and movement alterations in the OVX rat model.
• To understand the physiological consequences of estrogen deficiency and potential nutritional interventions.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-six 6-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: SHAM-WATER, SHAM-RR, OVX-WATER, and OVX-RR.
• Rats received either water or red rooibos (2.6 g/kg body mass) ad libitum for 12 weeks.
• Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and metabolic/movement parameters (Promethion metabolic caging) were assessed at baseline and endpoint.

Main Results:

• Ovariectomy (OVX) significantly increased percent body fat and body mass while decreasing percent lean mass compared to SHAM rats.
• OVX rats exhibited increased ovarian and inguinal adipose tissue, with a trend towards reduced brown adipose tissue.
• No significant differences were observed in metabolic measures (energy expenditure, gas exchange) or movement patterns between groups.

Conclusions:

• Red rooibos (RR) intervention did not attenuate the adverse body composition, metabolic, or movement changes induced by ovariectomy (OVX).
• The study provides valuable insights into the progression of body composition and metabolic changes in the OVX rat model.
• Findings contribute to understanding the physiological impacts of estrogen deficiency and the limitations of RR as an intervention in this context.