Background Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) oil is high in monounsaturated fat acids (MUFA), especially oleic, and in carotenoids, which have been associated with protection against cardiovascular disease. However, this food is poorly studied in this context, especially in the cardiac function. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a long-term intake of pequi oil in systemic cardiovascular risk factors and in the ex vivo cardiac function of rats.MethodsPreviously, we determined fatty acids and carotenoids in pequi oil. Next, male rats were divided in C – control group feed a standard diet, and PO – pequi oil group fed the same diet added pequi oil (+2.25 g.100 g−1). After 15 weeks, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, blood pressure, heart rate, hepatic lipids were accessed and visceral fat pads were harvested. Hearts were used for the ex vivo cardiac function, histologic assays, SERCA2a and phospholanban (PLB) determinations.ResultsIn agreement with scientific data, pequi oil had expressive amounts MUFA, especially oleic acid, and carotenoids. Hepatic triglycerides (TG) were reduced by pequi oil intake (p < 0.05). All others cardiovascular risk factors were not changed. The intrinsic heart rate was lower in PO group (p < 0.05). SERCA2a content was higher in this group (p < 0.05), without affecting PLB. Also, SERCA2a/PLB ratio increased in PO group (p < 0.05).Conclusion Pequi oil intake improved cardiac function ex vivo, despite no significant changes in systemic cardiovascular risk factors. The higher lipid offer in pequi oil diet, its composition in oleic acid and carotenoids could be related to those effects.

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Caryocar brasiliense (pequi) is an exotic fruit, high in monounsaturated fat acids (MUFA) and bioactive compounds, which have beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. However, this fruit is poorly studied in this context. In this study, the effects of pequi pulp intake on cardiometabolic risk factors of rats were evaluated. Therefore, 16 male weaned rats were divided into two groups: Control group and Pequi group. Control group was feed a standard diet and pequi group, the same diet added pequi pulp (3.26 g.100 -1 ) for 15 weeks. At the end, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance index (HOMA-IR), blood pressure, heart rate, hepatic and fecal lipids and intestinal histomorphometric parameters were accessed. Liver and heart samples were harvested for redox status assays. There were no differences between experimental groups for blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and liver and heart redox status (p<0.05). Pequi group had lowered lipid hepatic deposition and increased fecal output (p<0.05), increased intestinal villus height and crypt depth. Thus, pequi pulp intake minimized liver fat deposition by increasing its intestinal output and improved intestinal structure of rats, which can contribute for reducing cardiometabolic risk factors. MUFA, carotenoids and fibres can be associated, at last in part, with these effects.

al. Caryocar brasiliense oil improves cardiac function by increasing Serca2a/PLB ratio despite no significant changes in