Development of obesity is associated with excessive fat accumulation and oxidative stress along with chronic inflammation. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are high in polyphenolic compounds and have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and hypolipidemic properties that may alleviate the pathogenesis of obesity and related metabolic complications. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate potential metabolic benefits of GB supplementation against high fat (HF) diet-induced obesity and its comorbidities in HF diet-fed rats (male Sprague–Dawley, n = 8/group, 6 weeks old). We also sought to examine the potential metabolic benefits of fermented GB (FGB) with L. plantarum CB3 and possible distinctions in the degree and/or mechanism of action compared to GB. GB and FGB supplementation suppressed the gene expression of inflammation indices at the local (adipose tissues) and systemic (liver) levels. In addition, GB and FGB supplementation upregulated the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes compared to the HF and/or even low fat (LF) group with more remarkable antioxidant effects by GB supplementation. Also, GB and FGB supplementation protected from HF-induced damages of the liver and dyslipidemia. In conclusion, we demonstrated that GB and FGB supplementation protected from HF-induced metabolic complications primarily by improving hepatic function and corresponding lipid metabolism via their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study confirming metabolic benefits of GB in a fermented form. Thus, these findings support the potential application of both GB and FGB to ameliorate obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities.

中文翻译：

---

补充非发酵和发酵枸杞（枸杞）通过其抗炎和抗氧化特性改善高脂肪喂养大鼠的肝功能和相应的脂质代谢

肥胖的发展与过度的脂肪积累和氧化应激以及慢性炎症有关。枸杞 (Lycium barbarum) 富含多酚化合物，具有抗炎、抗氧化和降血脂的特性，可以减轻肥胖和相关代谢并发症的发病机制。因此，本研究的目的是研究补充 GB 对高脂肪 (HF) 饮食诱导的肥胖及其在 HF 饮食喂养的大鼠（雄性 Sprague-Dawley，n = 8/组，6 周龄）中的潜在代谢益处）。我们还试图检查发酵 GB (FGB) 与植物乳杆菌 CB3 的潜在代谢益处，以及与 GB 相比在程度和/或作用机制方面可能存在的差异。GB 和 FGB 的补充抑制了局部（脂肪组织）和全身（肝脏）水平的炎症指数的基因表达。此外，与 HF 和/或什至低脂肪 (LF) 组相比，GB 和 FGB 补充剂上调了抗氧化酶的基因表达，GB 补充剂具有更显着的抗氧化作用。此外，GB 和 FGB 补充剂可防止 HF 引起的肝脏损伤和血脂异常。总之，我们证明了 GB 和 FGB 补充剂主要通过其抗炎和抗氧化特性改善肝功能和相应的脂质代谢来防止 HF 引起的代谢并发症。据我们所知，这是首个证实发酵形式 GB 的代谢益处的体内研究。因此，