Reduced-calorie avocado paste attenuates metabolic factors associated with a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet in rats

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2014 Mar;69(1):18-24. doi: 10.1007/s11130-013-0395-4.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced-calorie avocado paste on lipid serum profile, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic steatosis in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet. Thirty five male Wistar rats were randomly separated in five groups: Control group (ground commercial diet); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60% fructose solution (HHF group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60% fructose solution supplemented with avocado pulp (HHF+A group); hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60% fructose solution supplemented with reduced-calorie avocado paste (HHF+P group); and hypercholesterolemic diet plus 60% fructose solution supplemented with a reduced-calorie avocado paste plus fiber (HHF+FP group). The A, P, and FP were supplemented at 2 g/kg/d. The study was carried out for seven weeks. Rats belonging to the HHF group exhibited significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels in serum as well as lower insulin sensitivity than the control group. Supplementation with reduced-calorie avocado paste showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in total cholesterol (43.1%), low-density lipoprotein (45.4%), and triglycerides (32.8%) in plasma as well as elevated insulin sensitivity compared to the HHF group. Additionally, the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly in the HHF-P group (39.8 and 35.1%, respectively). These results are likely due to biocompounds present in the reduced-calorie avocado paste, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and dietary fibre, which are capable of reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, reduced-calorie avocado paste attenuates the effects of a hypercholesterolemic-high fructose diet in rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Cholesterol, Dietary / administration & dosage
  • Cholesterol, Dietary / adverse effects
  • Cholesterol, Dietary / metabolism*
  • Diet / adverse effects
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism*
  • Fatty Liver / prevention & control
  • Fructose / administration & dosage
  • Fructose / adverse effects
  • Fructose / metabolism*
  • Fruit / chemistry
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Persea / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cholesterol, Dietary
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Insulin
  • Lipids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Fructose
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase