Maternal soy protein isolate diet during lactation programs deleterious effects on hepatic lipid metabolism, atherogenic indices, and function of adrenal in adult rat offspring.

The benefits of consuming soy and its protein have been reported in many studies. However, its phytoestrogen content raises concerns about consumption during lactation and gestation We therefore examined the effects of soybean or soy protein isolate on the parameters-related cardiovascular pathophysiology in lactating mothers and their offsprings at weaning and adulthood. Lactating rats were divided: casein control (C); soy protein isolate (SPI); and soybean (S). At weaning, half of the litter received commercial ration up to 150 days. The levels of 17-ß-estradiol and superoxide dismutase were low in the S mothers. For the SPI mothers, we observed a reduction of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). At weaning, atherogenic indices [1 = total cholesterol (TC)/HDL; 2 = LDL/HDL; 3 = TC-HDL/HDL)] decreased in the S and SPI offsprings compared to the casein control group; TBARS and antioxidant enzymes increased in the S offspring, while reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio increased in the SPI offspring, indicating lower oxidative stress. In adulthood, the SPI offspring showed an increase in liver cholesterol and atherogenic index 1 and 3 (vs. C and S) and 2 (vs. S). In addition, we found a decrease in catecholamines in the adrenal medulla and an increase in caffeine-stimulated secretion, but tyrosine hydroxylase expression remained constant. Maternal consumption of SPI during lactation worsened atherogenic indices of the offsprings in adulthood, which was associated with increased liver cholesterol and decreased catecholamines in the adrenal medulla. Soy consumption had no consistent long-term effects on the evaluated parameters compared to casein consumption. The data suggest that the consumption of SPI during lactation should be done with caution.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) Peel Supplementation Prevents Hepatic Steatosis Through Hypolipidemic Effects and Cholesterol Metabolism Modulation in Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rat Model.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora), a Brazilian fruit, is a good source of dietary fiber and phenolic compounds, which are concentrated mainly in the peel. These compounds have been considered promising in prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic steatosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of 4% jaboticaba peel powder (JPP) supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and hepatic steatosis in livers of rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or an HF diet containing 32% lard and 1% cholesterol, both with and without 4% JPP. The M. cauliflora peel composition revealed a low-lipid high-fiber content and phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds in JPP, tentatively identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis, were confirmed to contain phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Moreover, JPP presented significant antioxidant activity in vitro and was not cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, as determined by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. After 6 weeks of treatment, our results showed that JPP supplementation increased lipid excretion in feces, reduced serum levels of total cholesterol and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and attenuated hepatic steatosis severity in rats fed the HF diet. Furthermore, JPP treatment downregulated expression of ACAT-1, LXR-α, CYP7A1, and ABCG5 genes. Therefore, jaboticaba peel may represent a viable dietary strategy to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as the JPP treatment alleviated hepatic steatosis through improvement of serum lipid profiles and modulation of mRNA expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Evaluation of the biological quality of defatted pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) seed flour protein supplemented with lysine to rats (Rattus norvegicus) / Avaliação da qualidade biológica da proteína da farinha da semente do pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Cambess) desengordurada e suplementada com lisina em ratos (Rattus norvegicus)

ABSTRACT Objective In the biome of the Brazilian Cerrado, there are a lot of fruit tree species that stand out for their sensory quality and for presenting potentialities in the market of pulp and almond. Among these species, the pequi deserves attention because it has an almond rich in proteins and that is little explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological quality of defatted pequi seed flour supplemented with lysine. Methods Two designs were done in this study; in the first, the animals were divided into four diet groups: control, protein-free, defatted pequi seed flour and defatted pequi seed flour supplemented with lysine. The protein-free diet was exempt of proteins and the other diets had a protein content of 10% and differed in protein source (casein: control diet or defatted pequi seed flour: test diets). The experiment lasted for 14 days. In the second design, 36 animals were used and followed-up for 28 days. The division of the experimental groups was kept, except for the protein-free diet group, which was excluded. By the end of the test, the animals were anaesthetised and euthanized. Results The results showed that the protein efficiency ratio of the control group was significantly higher than the other groups. For the other indices, the groups that received defatted pequi seed flour did not differ statistically among themselves. Conclusion These findings have shown an effect of supplementation on the protein efficiency ratio when comparing the test diets, however, when compared to the control group, no improvement was found.

RESUMO Objetivo O bioma cerrado é rico em espécies frutíferas que destacam-se por suas qualidades sensoriais e por apresentarem potencialidades no mercado de polpas e amêndoas. Dentre essas espécies, o pequi merece atenção porque possui uma amêndoa rica em proteínas e que é pouco explorada. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade biológica da farinha da semente do pequi desengordurada e suplementada com lisina. Métodos Neste estudo foram feitos dois delineamentos: no primeiro os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, aprotéico, farinha da semente do pequi desengordurada e farinha da semente do pequi desengordurada suplementada com lisina. A dieta aprotéica era isenta de proteínas e as demais dietas apresentavam um teor de 10% de proteínas e diferiram quanto à fonte protéica (caseína: dieta controle e farinha da semente do pequi desengordurada: dietas testes). Esse experimento teve duração de 14 dias. No segundo delineamento, utilizou-se 36 animais que foram acompanhados por 28 dias, a divisão dos grupos experimentais foi mantida, exceto o grupo dieta aprotéica que foi excluído. Ao final dos experimentos, os animais foram anestesiados e eutanasiados. Resultados Os resultados mostraram que o coeficiente de eficiência protéica do grupo controle foi significativamente superior aos demais grupos. Para os demais índices biológicos de avaliação da qualidade protéica, os grupos que receberam a farinha da semente do pequi desengordurada não diferiram estatisticamente entre si. Conclusão Os achados mostraram um efeito da suplementação no coeficiente de eficiência protéica quando comparamos as dietas testes, no entanto, quando comparado ao grupo controle, não houve melhora.

Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose.

INTRODUCTION: the excessive consumption of fructose can cause liver damage, characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with changes in lipid metabolism and antioxidant defenses. Açai, the fruit of Euterpe oleraceaMart., has demonstrated numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid metabolism modulating action. OBJECTIVE: we evaluated the benefits of açai supplementation on liver damage caused by replacing starch with fructose in rats. METHODS: thirty male Fischerrats were divided into two groups, the control group (C, 10 animals), which consumed a standard diet (AIN-93M), and the fructose (F, 20 animals) group, which consumed a diet containing 60% of fructose. After eight weeks, 10 animals from the fructose group received 2% of lyophilized açai, and were called the açai fructose group (FA). The animals were fed ad libitumwith these diets for another ten weeks. Serum, hepatic and fecal lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes and carbonylated protein were assessed and histopathological characterization of the liver was performed. RESULTS: açai promoted the reduction of ALT activity in relation to the fructose group (F), reduced alkaline phosphatase to a level similar to that of the control group (C) in relation to the fructose group (F), and reduced catalase activity. The fruit also increased the ratio of total/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis and the number of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: the replacement of starch by fructose during this period was effective in promoting NAFLD. Açai showed attenuating effects on some markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation.

Caryocar brasiliense oil improves cardiac function by increasing Serca2a/PLB ratio despite no significant changes in cardiovascular risk factors in rats.

BACKGROUND: Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) oil is high in monounsaturated fat acids (MUFA), especially oleic, and in carotenoids, which have been associated with protection against cardiovascular disease. However, this food is poorly studied in this context, especially in the cardiac function. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a long-term intake of pequi oil in systemic cardiovascular risk factors and in the ex vivo cardiac function of rats. METHODS: Previously, we determined fatty acids and carotenoids in pequi oil. Next, male rats were divided in C - control group feed a standard diet, and PO - pequi oil group fed the same diet added pequi oil (+2.25 g.100 g-1). After 15 weeks, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, blood pressure, heart rate, hepatic lipids were accessed and visceral fat pads were harvested. Hearts were used for the ex vivo cardiac function, histologic assays, SERCA2a and phospholanban (PLB) determinations. RESULTS: In agreement with scientific data, pequi oil had expressive amounts MUFA, especially oleic acid, and carotenoids. Hepatic triglycerides (TG) were reduced by pequi oil intake (p < 0.05). All others cardiovascular risk factors were not changed. The intrinsic heart rate was lower in PO group (p < 0.05). SERCA2a content was higher in this group (p < 0.05), without affecting PLB. Also, SERCA2a/PLB ratio increased in PO group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pequi oil intake improved cardiac function ex vivo, despite no significant changes in systemic cardiovascular risk factors. The higher lipid offer in pequi oil diet, its composition in oleic acid and carotenoids could be related to those effects.