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Combined action of açai and aerobic exercise training on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet: a preliminary exploration

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Abstract

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic condition that comprises a spectrum of liver diseases. Non-pharmacological treatments such as functional food consumption and aerobic exercise training (AET) have been recommended.

Objective

To evaluate the combined effects of açai pulp consumption and AET on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet.

Methods

Male Fischer rats received either standard or high-fat diet. Animals (21.8% lard and 1% cholesterol) were treated with lyophilized açai pulp (1%), AET or açai plus AET for 8 weeks. Exercise capacity, body fat, serum metabolites (triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein) and enzymes (lipase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), liver macrovesicular steatosis and liver lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances—TBARS) were evaluated.

Results

Açai consumption reduced the levels of serum total cholesterol (p = 0.0185). AET with or without açai consumption increased the exercise capacity (p = 0.0097) and reduced body fat (p = 0.0001) similarly. Both AET and açai consumption individually reduced the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.0103) and TBARS (p = 0.0014). AET with or without açai consumption reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis (p < 0.0001) likewise.

Conclusions

Açai consumption or AET protect against increases in serum metabolite (total cholesterol) and enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase) and liver lipid peroxidation (TBARS), whereas AET prevents increases in the degree of macrovesicular steatosis in this model of NAFLD induced by high-fat diet in rats. The combination of treatments, nevertheless, does not provide additional effects.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES). AJ Natali is a CNPq fellow.

Funding

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro, s/n, Campus Universitário, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil

    Victor Neiva Lavorato & Denise Coutinho de Miranda

  2. Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Filipe Rios Drummond, Leonardo Matheus Teixeira Rezende & Antônio José Natali

  3. Department of Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Maria do Carmo Gouveia Pelúzio

  4. School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Marcelo Eustáquio Silva

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  1. Victor Neiva Lavorato
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Correspondence to Victor Neiva Lavorato.

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The present study was approved by the local ethics committee, under approval number (CEUA UFOP-22/2016).

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All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the Ethics Commission on Animal Use (CEUA UFOP-22/2016).

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Lavorato, V.N., de Miranda, D.C., Drummond, F.R. et al. Combined action of açai and aerobic exercise training on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet: a preliminary exploration. Sport Sci Health 18, 509–515 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-021-00831-x

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