Research Information System
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research, vol.96, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: Obesity is a major global health concern, highlighting the need for effective nutritional interventions. Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) are rich in α-linolenic acid and have recently attracted attention for potential metabolic benefits. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of chia seed supplementation on obesity-related indicators in a rat model fed a cafeteria diet. Methods: Three-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 28) were randomly and equally divided into four groups (n = 7 each) and fed the following diets for 15 weeks: control diet (CON), CON with 20% chia seed-supplemented diet (CONC), cafeteria diet (CAF), and CAF with 20% chia seed-supplemented diet (CAFC). Food consumption and body weights were recorded daily. Tissue and plasma samples were collected at the end of the study, and body composition and gene expression levels in white adipose tissues were analyzed. Results: The CAF and CAFC showed significantly higher energy intake (198 ± 7.76 and 199 ± 7.76 kcal/day, respectively) and weight gain (509 ± 46.3 and 500 ± 33.8 g, respectively) compared to CON (all p < 0.001). However, chia seed supplementation did not significantly alter body composition (p > 0.05). Plasma leptin levels differed among groups (p = 0.017), with the CAF promoting higher levels than the CON (6.26 ± 1.78 vs. 1.20 ± 0.26 ng/mL). Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression was higher in the CAFC than in the CAF (p < 0.001). Chia seed supplementation significantly decreased uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression in the CONC (p < 0.05 vs. CON), and the CAFC showed a trend toward decreased expression (p = 0.053 vs. CAF). Expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) genes was higher in the CON than in the CAF and CAFC (both p < 0.05). Conclusions: Chia seed supplementation modified specific gene expression levels, but did not impact primary obesity indicators under obesogenic conditions.