Super CitriMax® Shown to Improve Brain Chemicals Involved in Appetite Suppression in Obese Zucker Rats
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Super CitriMax® is a novel calcium/potassium salt of (–)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) extracted from the dried fruit rind of the plant Garcinia cambogia, which is commonly consumed worldwide as a dietary weight loss supplement. Previous studies have shown that Super CitriMax® alters levels of brain serotonin (5-HT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), neurotransmitters that are known to either suppress or enhance appetite, respectively, in normal rats. The following study evaluated the effect of Super CitriMax® on neurotransmitters, oxidative stress and insulin in genetically obese Zucker rats. Male rats (4-5 weeks old) were supplemented with Super CitriMax® (200 mg/kg/day in drinking water) or placebo for 6-7 weeks. Compared to controls, levels of serotonin and norepinephrine increased, while levels of dopamine and epinephrine decreased, in the brain cortex of the Super CitriMax®-treated rats. Further, Super CitriMax® supplementation decreased fasting plasma insulin by 25%, triglyceride levels by 17%, and insulin resistance by 16%. Oxidative stress in liver and kidney tissues also was significantly reduced in Super CitriMax®-treated rats. This study shows that Super CitriMax® may influence appetite suppression in obesity by modulating neurotransmitter levels, while reducing oxidative stress and insulin resistance.
Source: M. Asghar, R.Zeyssig, E. Monjok, G. Kouamou, S. E. Ohia, M.F. Lokhandwala and D. Bagchi, Effect of a Novel Hydroxycitric Acid Extract (HCA-SX) on Oxidative Stress, Insulin Resistance and Brain Serotonin Level in Obese Zucker Rats—Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology, Vol.20, No. 5, Abs. 655.4, Pg. 235, April 2006.
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