Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose.
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Date
2018
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Abstract
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 oleracea Mart., 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 Fischer rats 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 libitum with 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.
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Keywords
Euterpe oleracea, Mart. Fructose-diet, Hepatic steatosis, Inflammation, Antioxidant enzymes.
Citation
CARVALHO, M. M. de F. et al. Açai improves non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by fructose. Nutrición Hospitalaria, v. 35, n. 2, p. 318-325, 2018. Disponível em: <https://www.nutricionhospitalaria.org/index.php/articles/01294/show>. Acesso em: 25 fev. 2019.