Protective effect of E uterpe oleracea Mart (açaí) extract on programmed changes in the adult rat offspring caused by maternal protein restriction during pregnancy.

Bem, Graziele Freitas; Costa, Cristiane Aguiar; Oliveira, Paola Raquel Braz; Cordeiro, Viviane Silva Cristino; Santos, Izabelle Barcellos; Carvalho, Lenize Costa Reis Marins; Souza, Marcelo Augusto Vieira; Ognibene, Dayane Texeira; Daleprane, Julio Beltrame; Sousa, Pergentino José Cunha; Resende, Angela Castro; Moura, Roberto Soares

Objectives This study examined the effect of açaí ( E uterpe oleracea Mart.) seed extract ( ASE) on cardiovascular and renal alterations in adult offspring, whose mothers were fed a low-protein ( LP) diet during pregnancy. Methods Four groups of rats were fed: control diet (20% protein); ASE (200 mg/kg per day); and LP (6% protein); LP + ASE (6% protein + ASE) during pregnancy. After weaning, all male offspring were fed a control diet and sacrificed at 4 months old. We evaluated the blood pressure, vascular function, serum and urinary parameters, plasma and kidney oxidative damage, and antioxidant activity and renal structural changes. Key findings Hypertension and the reduced acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the LP group were prevented by ASE. Serum levels of urea, creatinine and fractional excretion of sodium were increased in LP and reduced in LP + ASE. ASE improved nitrite levels and the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity in LP, with a corresponding decrease of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels. Kidney volume and glomeruli number were reduced and glomerular volume was increased in LP. These renal alterations were prevented by ASE. Conclusions Treatment of protein-restricted dams with ASE provides protection from later-life hypertension, oxidative stress, renal functional and structural changes, probably through a vasodilator and antioxidant activity.

ACAI palm; PREGNANCY; CARDIOVASCULAR agents; LOW-protein diet; BLOOD pressure measurement; LABORATORY rats

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, 2014, Vol 66, Issue 9, p1328

0022-3573

Academic Journal

10.1111/jphp.12258