Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) supplementation improves oxidative stress biomarkers in liver tissue of dams fed a high-fat diet and increases antioxidant enzymes’ gene expression in offspring.

Abstract

Lipids excess from an uterine environment can increase free radicals production of and thus induce oxidative status imbalance, a key factor for progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in offspring. Food antioxidant components in maternal diet may play an important role in preventing offspring metabolic disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of açaí pulp supplementation on maternal high-fat diet, by assessing activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of oxidative stress in the liver. Female Fisher rats were divided into four groups and fed a control diet (C), a high-fat diet (HF), a control diet supplemented with açaí (CA) and a high-fat diet supplemented with açaí (HFA) before mating, during gestation and lactation. The effects of açaí supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes expression were evaluated in dams and male offspring after weaning. HFA diet increased body weight in dams, however reduced absolute and relative liver weight. There was a reduction in liver biomarkers of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein, as well as in catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. In offspring, HFA diet reduced liver weight and increased Gpx1, Gpx4 and Sod1 mRNA expression. These results suggest that açaí is able to restore redox status, preventing oxidative damage in dams by a direct mechanism and to promote beneficial effects on expression of antioxidant defences related genes in offspring.