Effects of Gum Arabic on Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Postmenopausal Women

The Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of several interconnected biochemical, clinical, and metabolic factors that directly increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and Diabetes Mellitus.

Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, obesity, glucose intolerance, proinflammatory and prothrombotic states are the cornerstone features defining the syndrome. Glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 1(IL-1) and Interferon Gamma (INFγ) are some of the inflammatory substances (cytokines) that are released from different cells (monocytes and adipocytes) in MetS.

Gum Arabic is found as a mixture of sodium, calcium and potassium salts of branched polysaccharides. In the colon, GA is fermented by colonic bacteria into short chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which are partially absorbed into blood.

Butyrate treatment was found to inhibit expression of cytokine mRNAs in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) that are stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

In unstimulated (PBMC), a transcription factor (Nuclear Factor kappa β (NF-κB)) controls gene expression of some inflammatory cytokines; Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF- α), IL-1 and IL-6. NF-κB was detected mainly in the cytoplasm tightly bound to an Inhibitory protein (IκB).

When those cells are stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or by adipokines, NFκB is activated and translocates to the nucleus to start gene expression of the inflammatory cytokines. Moreover; stimulation causes degradation of IκB which releases NFκB and allows its translocation to the nucleus.

This nuclear translocation of NFκB was found to be inhibited by butyrate (a byproduct of Gum Arabic fermentation ) providing evidence that butyrate mediated reduction of proinflammatory cytokines was achieved by reducing NFκB activation.

Consequently; the postulated mechanisms by which butyrate may regulate gene expression are through inhibition of NFκB activation and IκBα degradation.

NFκB and the inflammatory cytokines: Target for therapy in inflammatory diseases, are they?

As NFκB is involved in transcriptional regulation of many cytokines genes that contributes to immune and inflammatory responses, it may be a good target for therapy also. At present, treatment of inflammatory diseases depends greatly on aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immune-suppressants that decrease cytokines level especially TNF.

The anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties of gum Arabic, through butyrate, described previously may offer an interesting alternative therapeutic approach for inflammatory conditions.

• Gum Arabic (Drug), also known as Acacia Senegal: A dietary supplement (Powdered exudates of Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic E-414))

Primary outcomes

• Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta concentration in nanogram/dl [12 weeks]: Nuclear regulatory protein
• P38 Mitogen activated protein kinase in nanogram/dl [12 weeks]: Transcription regulatory protein
• Inhibitory Kappa Beta protein in nanogram/dl [12 weeks]: inhibitory protein
• Tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma and interleukin-6 in nanogram/dl [12 weeks]: Proinflammatory cytokines
• Plasminogen activated protein inhibitor1 in picogram/dl [12 weeks]: Protein Inhibitor
• Fasting Insulin in nanogram/dl [12 weeks]: Metabolic hormone
• Insulin resistance by HOMA index [12 weeks]: Measuring cells sensitivity to insulin

Secondary outcomes

• Fasting Blood Sugar in mg/dl [12 weeks]: Biochemical serological markers
• Lipid profile in mg/dl [12 weeks]: Serological markers

Other outcomes

• waist circumference in cm [12 weeks]: Anthropometric measurement

Sex: Female, ages: 45 Years to 70 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Inclusion criteria Females Menopause Metabolic syndrome based on Adult panel II criteria Signed/verbal consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

* Exclusion criteria

  1. Patients with mental or physical disability
  2. Use of corticosteroids or any other drug that affects body weight
  3. History of Gum Arabic (GA) allergy
  4. Chronicrenal or liver disease
  5. Chronocinflammatory diseases
  6. History of CVA or MI Participants will be asked to maintain their habitually daily diet and level of activity during the period of the study and to continue any previously prescribed medication.

• Fatima Elhaj, PhD, Principal investigator, lecturer in physiology department University of Khartoum
• Shaza Elawad, MSc, Principal investigator, lecturer in physiology department University of Khartoum