Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2015, Pages 20–28
Poliphenolic-rich extracts from cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum Willd. Ex Spreng. K. Shum) liquors: A comparison of metabolic effects in high-fat fed rats
Highlights
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- Cupuassu (T. grandiflorum) liquor is a promising cocoa (T. cacao) liquor substitute.
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- Phenolic-rich extracts from both liquors have hepatoprotective effects.
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- HFD-induced oxidative stress was reversed by both phenolic-rich extracts.
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- Only cupuassu liquor phenolics were able to diminish glucose intolerance caused by HFD.
Abstract
Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is appreciated by its flavor and high content of bioactive compounds. A Brazilian Amazon Rainforest fruit, cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum), emerges as another Theobromaceae
fruit with health potential. Here, we investigated the role of
phenolic-rich extracts from cocoa and cupuassu liquors upon oxidative
stress and metabolic changes associated with a high fat diet (HFD). The
main flavonoids in cupuassu liquor extract were hypolaetin 8-O-β-d-glucuronide and hypolaetin 3′-methyl ether 8-O-β-d-glucuronide 3″-O-sulfate,
absent in cocoa liquor. Male Wistar rats received control diet or HFD
for 16 weeks, and for the last 28 days some rats received by gavage
cocoa or cupuassu liquor phenolic-rich extracts, at two doses. At the
end of 16th week were evaluated the adiposity, liver function, lipid
peroxidation, antioxidant capacity and enzyme activities. Both liquor
extracts attenuated the liver damage associated to HFD by decreasing
lipid peroxidation and increasing plasma and tissue antioxidant
capacities. Notably, only cupuassu liquor phenolics were capable to
improve glucose tolerance by increase insulin sensitivity.
Graphical abstract
Abbreviations
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase;
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase;
- FBG, fasting blood glucose;
- CAT, catalase;
- FRAP, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power;
- GPx, glutathione peroxidase;
- GGT, gamma glutamyl transferase;
- GTT, glucose tolerance test;
- ITT, insulin tolerance test;
- MDA, malondialdehyde;
- NASH, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis;
- ORAC, Oxygen Radical Antioxidant Capacity;
- SOD, superoxide dismutase;
- STZ, streptozotocin;
- TBARS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances;
- TC, total cholesterol;
- T2D, type 2 diabetes
Keywords
- Cupuassu;
- Cocoa;
- Liquor;
- Phenolics;
- Oxidative stress;
- High-fat diet
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+55 11 3091 1525; fax: +55 11 3815 4410.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
