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

• ICON was characterized by lower activity of SOD1, CAT and GR in comparison to YICON.
• NAR enhanced liver antioxidant status and improved GSH balance.
• HES had milder effect on antioxidant status, without effect on GSH.
• NAR and HES decreased TBARS and improved liver membrane phospholipid composition.
• Both flavanones did not affect liver histology and reduced ALT and AST levels in serum.

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.