Consumption of a Byproduct of Chia Seed Oil Extraction by Cold Pressing Ameliorates Cardiovascular Risks Factors in an Experimental Model of Metabolically Unhealthy Normal Weight.

The byproduct of Salvia hispanica (chia) seed oil extraction by cold pressing, also known as expeller, possesses a high nutritional value. It is rich in proteins, fibers, minerals, and has a residual oil content of 7-11%, which is rich in omega 3 linolenic acid (ALA). However, this byproduct has been historically undervalued. Thus, the aim of current work was to study the effects of consuming of a rich in chia expeller diet on a rabbit model of metabolically unhealthy normal weight to validate their use as a functional food. Rabbits were fed different diets for a period of 6 weeks: a standard diet (CD), a high-fat diet (HFD), a rich in expeller CD (Exp-CD) and a rich in expeller HFD (Exp-HFD). The Exp-HFD attenuated the rise in basal glucose, TyG index, triglycerides, cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol induced by the HFD. Both rich in expeller diets reduced mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and increase liver and fat ALA levels compared to their respective controls. Furthermore, the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was lower in the lungs of animals fed on rich in expeller diets compared to their respective controls. In vitro studies showed that ALA inhibited ACE activity. The evaluation of vascular reactivity revealed that rich in expeller diets improved angiotensin II affinity and reduced contractile response to noradrenaline. In conclusion, the consumption of rich in expeller diets showed beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and MAP. Therefore, its use as functional ingredient holds significant promise.

A Flavonoid-rich Zuccagnia punctata Extract Prevents High Fat Diet-induced Normal Weight Obesity in a Rabbit Model.

Oral administration of rich in flavonoids hydroalcoholic extract from Zuccagnia punctata (ZpE) improves lipid profile and prevents vascular dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of ZpE to prevent metabolic and vascular alterations induced by high fat diet (HFD) on a metabolically obese and normal weight rabbit model. The major components of ZpE were analyzed by HPLC method. Rabbits were separated into six groups: 1-fed on standard chow (CD); 2-fed on HFD; 3, 4, 5- fed on HFD and orally administrated 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg GAE/day of ZpE, respectively (ZpE- HFD); 6- fed on HFD and orally administered 30 mg orlistat/day (Or-HFD). All diets were administrated by 6 weeks. The major compounds of ZpE identified were chalcones: 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone. Oral treatment with ZpE 5 mg GAE/day as well as orlistat prevented the HFD-induced increase of triglycerides, fasting glucose, intraperitoneal glucose test, white cells, and TyG index. Acetylcholine relaxation was reduced in arteries from HFD group and oral administration of ZpE reached this response to CD values. Contractile response to angiotensin II was lower in arteries from rabbits fed on HFD treated with ZpE 5 and 10 mg GAE/day than those of untreated rabbits. Moreover, ZpE could inhibit the activity of pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion the ZpE may prevent normal weight obesity by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase. Thus, the use of ZpE as a natural product in the prevention of metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction is very promising.