Citrus flavanones naringenin and hesperetin improve antioxidant status and membrane lipid compositions in the liver of old-aged Wistar rats

This study aimed to investigate effects of citrus flavanones naringenin (NAR) and hesperetin (HES) on liver antioxidant status and membrane phospholipid composition in 24-month-old rats. NAR and HES (15 mg/kg) were administrated orally to male Wistar rats, once per day, for 4 weeks. Control group received either vehicle (sunflower oil) or remained intact. The results showed decreased (p < 0.05) activity of antioxidant enzymes (AOE), specifically catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1 and glutathione reductase (GR) in the liver of intact control old-aged rats in comparison to young intact controls. Flavanone administration to old-aged males increased (p < 0.05) examined AOE activities in comparison to vehicle-administered animals. Namely, NAR was more potent in comparison to HES regarding the increase (p < 0.05) in activities of examined antioxidant enzymes (SOD 1 and 2, glutathione peroxidase-GPx and GR) and the liver glutathione (GSH), while HES elevated (p < 0.05) only activity of CAT and GR. Both flavanones significantly decreased (p < 0.05) TBARS and improved (p < 0.05) membrane phospholipid composition in favor of n-3 PUFA and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Both flavanones did not affect liver histology and reduced (p < 0.05) alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in serum. The results of this study indicate beneficial potential of citrus flavanones in the old-aged rat liver.