Sabrina Alves Lenquiste

Sorghum flour fractions: correlations among polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and glycemic index.

Nutrients composition, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and estimated glycemic index (EGI) were evaluated in sorghum bran (SB) and decorticated sorghum flour (DSF), obtained by a rice-polisher, as well as whole sorghum flour (WSF). Correlation between EGI and the studied parameters were determined. SB presented the highest protein, lipid, ash, β-glucan, total and insoluble dietary fiber contents; and the lowest non-resistant and total starch contents. The highest carbohydrate and resistant starch contents were in DSF and WSF, respectively. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were concentrated in SB. The EGI values were: DSF 84.5 ± 0.41; WSF 77.2 ± 0.33; and SB 60.3 ± 0.78. Phenolic compounds, specific flavonoids and antioxidant activities, as well as total, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber and β-glucans of sorghum flour samples were all negatively correlated to EGI. RS content was not correlated to EGI.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) enhances HSP, PGC-1α expressions and improves glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese rats

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chia seed and chia oil on heat shock protein (HSP) and related parameters in diet-induced obese rats. METHODS Animals were divided in six groups: control, high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFF), and HFF with chia seed or chia oil in short (6-wk) and long (12-wk) treatments. Plasma indicators of glucose tolerance and liver damage, skeletal muscle expression of antioxidant enzymes, and proteins controlling oxidative energy metabolism were determined. The limit of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS The HFF diet induced glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and altered parameters related to obesity complications. The consumption of chia seed or chia oil did not reduce body weight gain or abdominal fat accumulation. However, chia seed and chia oil in both treatments improved glucose and insulin tolerance. Chia oil in both treatments induced expression of HSP70 and HSP25 in skeletal muscle. Short treatment with chia seed increased expression of HSP70, but not HSP25. Chia oil in both treatments restored superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase expression. Extended treatment with chia seed and short treatment with chia oil restored peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression. CONCLUSION Chia oil restored the antioxidant system and induced the expression of a higher number of proteins than chia seed. The present study demonstrated new properties and molecular mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of chia seed and chia oil consumption in diet-induced obese rats.

Antioxidant potential of dietary chia seed and oil (Salvia hispanica L.) in diet-induced obese rats

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary chia seed and oil on plasma and liver oxidative status in diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided in six groups (6 animals each): control group was fed the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93M diet; HFF group was fed a high-fat and high-fructose (HFF) diet; chia seed short (6-weeks) and long (12-weeks) treatments received an HFF diet with chia seed; chia oil short (6-weeks) and long (12-weeks) treatments received an HFF diet with chia oil. Plasma and hepatic biomarkers of lipid peroxidation, endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems and antioxidant capacity were determined. HFF diet induced weight gain, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in plasma and liver of animals. Compared to HFF group chia seed and chia oil (12 and 6weeks) intake increased plasma reduced thiol (GSH) levels, plasma catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. In the liver glutathione reductase (GRd) activity was enhanced, while CAT and GPx activities did not change. There were no differences in plasma and liver superoxide dismutase activity among chia diets and HFF group. Chia (seed and oil) intake did not modify liver lipid peroxidation, but was able to reduce plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-isoprostane levels increased by HFF group. Plasma and hepatic antioxidant capacity values were increased in chia seed and oil groups about 35% and 47%, respectively, compared to HFF group. Chia groups presented similar antioxidant potential, regardless of treatment time. Dietary chia seed and oil reduced oxidative stress in vivo, since it improved antioxidant status and reduced lipid peroxidation in diet-induced obese rats.

Jaboticaba (Myrciaria jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg.) peel improved triglycerides excretion and hepatic lipid peroxidation in high-fat-fed rats

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of high-fat diets with 1%, 2%, and 4% freeze-dried jaboticaba peel on the serum, liver, and fecal lipid profile of obese rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. Obesity was induced in four groups using a high-fat diet (35% lipids). One group was used as a high-fat diet control (High-fat group - HF). The other three high-fat-diet groups were given 1%, 2%, and 4% freeze-dried jaboticaba peel (High-Fat Jaboticaba - HFJ1, HFJ2, and HFJ4, respectively) in the last 40 experimental days. Blood and the liver were collected after 70 days of treatment and feces were collected in the last experimental week. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipids were measured in the serum, liver, and dried feces. ffer in the experimental groups. HFJ2 group had the highest hepatic and fecal lipid contents compared with the group fed a diet with normal fat content (N), but low hepatic lipid peroxidation. HFJ4 group had the highest mean hepatic and fecal cholesterol levels. Hepatic triglyceride levels did not differ among the groups, and groups HFJ1 and HFJ4 presented the highest fecal triglyceride content. CONCLUSION: The amounts of jaboticaba peel used by this study did not protect against hepatic steatosis or undesired levels of other studied lipids, but it did increase fecal triglycerides. Lipid peroxidation in the liver decreased in the HFJ2 group.