Pigeon Peas (Cajanus Cajan) : a Natural Anti-inflammatory Facilitating Weight Loss in Obese Patients Returning to Sport?

Summary

Adult obesity is due to an excess of body fat. This corresponds to all the fat in the body (or adipose tissue). It is opposed to the lean mass which corresponds to the weight of muscles, organs and viscera. It is defined from the body mass index (or BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight by their height squared. According to these criteria, the prevalence of obesity has reached 17% of the entire adult population in mainland France (ESTENBAN 2015 study). The prevalence figures for obesity in the French overseas departments are higher than in mainland France. The latest epidemiological data available in Martinique and Guadeloupe (KANNARI 2015 study) show that approximately 60% of the adult population is overweight and 25% of the adult population is obese. Obesity is considered a chronic disease that increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications all the more when patients have a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2, defining severe obesity. When BMI is equal to or exceeds 40 kg/m2, obesity is said to be "morbid" and the risk of cardiovascular complications increases by about 100% to 400% depending on the type of complications. The risk of mortality increases by 50 to 100% compared to the normal weight population. Obesity and inflammation Adipose tissue accumulates around the abdominal viscera after the fat storage capacity of the subcutaneous territories has been reached. The accumulation of visceral fat is accompanied by a low-grade inflammatory response that is responsible for the secretion of lipid derivatives and mediators toxic to the cardiovascular system and insulin sensitivity. The inflammatory response is characterized by the expression of numerous pro-inflammatory molecules synthesized by adipocytes and immunocompetent single-macrophage cells infiltrating the vascular stroma of adipose tissue. In addition, hyperglycemia and excess lipid intermediates cause the assembly of inflammasomes in the cytosol. Among them, the NLRP3 inflammasome involved in multiple human inflammatory pathologies. Inflammation opposes weight loss, hence the need to reduce the inflammatory response to facilitate weight loss in obese people. Pigeon pea, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is a legume found in Creole gardens and traditionally eaten at Christmas. The OBESICA study aims at studying the interest of consuming pigeon pea associated with regular physical activity on the inflammatory state of the body and weight loss in obese patients.

Timeline

Start

2022-11

Primary completion

2024-11

Completion

2025-09

Publications

• Results Shah M, Hurt RT, Mundi MS. Phenotypes of Obesity: How it Impacts Management. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2017 Sep 25;19(11):55. doi: 10.1007/s11894-017-0598-1.
• Results Gruzdeva O, Borodkina D, Uchasova E, Dyleva Y, Barbarash O. Localization of fat depots and cardiovascular risk. Lipids Health Dis. 2018 Sep 15;17(1):218. doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0856-8.
• Results Pavillard LE, Marin-Aguilar F, Bullon P, Cordero MD. Cardiovascular diseases, NLRP3 inflammasome, and western dietary patterns. Pharmacol Res. 2018 May;131:44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.03.018. Epub 2018 Mar 26.
• Results Rheinheimer J, de Souza BM, Cardoso NS, Bauer AC, Crispim D. Current role of the NLRP3 inflammasome on obesity and insulin resistance: A systematic review. Metabolism. 2017 Sep;74:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2017.06.002. Epub 2017 Jun 11.
• Results Farhat G, Drummond S, Al-Dujaili EAS. Polyphenols and Their Role in Obesity Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Phytother Res. 2017 Jul;31(7):1005-1018. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5830. Epub 2017 May 11.

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