Supplementation of the maternal diet with Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) prevents cognitive impairment in the offspring of obese mothers.

Maternal obesity may trigger long-term neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. Considering the benefits of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.), a rich source of nutrients such as selenium, this study aimed to evaluate its effect on the behavior of obese rat offspring and its relationship with oxidative stress. From 60 days of age until weaning, female Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet (mHF) or an HF diet supplemented with 5% Brazil nut (mHF/BN), while control mothers (mCTL) were fed a standard diet or a standard diet supplemented with 5% Brazil nut (mBN). Male pups received a standard diet throughout life and, at 30 and 90 days old, were subjected to behavioral tasks to evaluate anxiety and cognition. Biochemical evaluations were performed at 90 days of age. No alterations were observed in the anxiety behavior of the offspring. However, the offspring of the mHF group (oHF) exhibited impaired short-term memory at 30 and 90 days of age and impaired long-term memory at 30 days. Short-term memory impairment was prevented by Brazil nuts in young rats (30 days). While the serum selenium concentration was reduced in the oHF group, the serum catalase concentration was reduced in all groups, without changes in lipid peroxidation or protein carbonylation. Brazil nut maternal diet supplementation prevented short- and long-term cognitive impairment in the offspring, which may be related to the selenium levels.

Extended treatment with (1→3)(1→6)-ß-d-glucan (Botryosphaeran) reduces obesity and its comorbidities in high-fat/high-sugar diet-fed rats.

Obesity is associated with other diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Botryosphaeran, a fungal (1→3)(1→6)-ß-d-glucan, is described to present antimutagenic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and antitumor activities when administered by gavage over 15 days in rats and mice. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the metabolic effects of Botryosphaeran (12 mg/kg body weight/day) treatment over 30 days in obese Wistar male rats. Obesity was induced in the rats by a high-fat/high-sugar diet for 8 weeks. Control rats received a standard diet. On the 5th week, Botryosphaeran treatment commenced. Groups: control, obese, and obese+Botryosphaeran 30 days. In the 8th week, obesity was characterized. Feed intake, glucose and lipid profiles, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity were analyzed. Obese rats showed accumulation of visceral adipose tissue, reduction of muscle mass, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Botryosphaeran effectively reduced weight gains and the accumulation of retroperitoneal adipose tissue, corrected the levels of glucose, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein-cholestrol, and improved insulin sensitivity. Treatment for 30 days was effective in maintaining the beneficial effects demonstrated by this ß-glucan when administered for 15 days without promoting side effects. Treatment with (1→3)(1→6)-ß- d-glucan presented anti-obesogenic and beneficial metabolic effects in Wistar rats; important for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities.