Diets containing traditional and novel green leafy vegetables improve liver fatty acid profiles of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

BackgroundThe consumption of green leafy vegetables (GLVs) has been demonstrated to reduce the risks associated with cardiovascular and other diseases. However, no literature exists that examines the influence of traditional and novel GLVs on the liver fatty acid profile of an animal model genetically predisposed to developing hypertension. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of diets containing 4% collard greens, purslane or sweet potato greens on the liver fatty acid profiles of four-week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, N = 44). Following four weeks consumption of the diets, liver fatty acid profiles were determined by gas–liquid chromatography of transesterified fatty acid methyl esters.ResultsSHRs consuming the control diet had greater percentages of liver saturated fatty acid and less omega-3 fatty acid percentages. SHRs consuming the diets containing vegetables had significantly greater liver concentrations of γ- linolenic, docosahexaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, as well as lower levels of lauric, palmitic and arachidonic acids. SHRs consuming the control diet had significantly greater percentages (p < 0.05) of oleic; significantly less γ-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the ability of GLVs to modulate liver fatty acid composition, thus providing protection against elevations in atherogenic fatty acids, which may be involved in CVD pathogenesis. Consequently, dietary recommendations for the prevention of CVD should consider the possible cardioprotective benefits and the subsequent alterations in fatty acid profiles afforded by diets containing collard greens, purslane and sweet potato greens.

Kale: Review on nutritional composition, bio-active compounds, anti-nutritional factors, health beneficial properties and value-added products

“…Simopoulos ( 2004) has reported that Purslane, Spinach, Butter crunch Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce, Mustard are good source for omega fatty acids which contain more PUFA fatty acids compared to that of kale. M. Johnson et al (2013Johnson et al ( ), (2018Johnson et al ( ), 2019 had reported that the GLVs serve as a major dietary reservoir of the essential PUFAs and the consumption of GLVs determines the liver fatty acid composition. Uddin et al (2014) have reported that, kale has low sources of omega-3 fatty acids which are similar to broccoli.…”

The Diet and Diabetes: A Focus on the Challenges and Opportunities within the Stroke Belt Dietary Pattern

“…tuber), sweet potatoes leaves, stalks and stems are exceptional sources of minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective characteristics [54]. Although not readily consumed in the southeastern United States, sweet potato leaves offer cardioprotective, chemopreventive, and other health promoting benefits [55,56]. Researchers found that steam cooking of sweet potato leaves results in an increase in total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity [57].…”

Green leafy vegetables in diets with a 25:1 omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio modify the erythrocyte fatty acid profile of spontaneously hypertensive rats

“…Collard greens ( Brassica oleracea ), a traditional GLV with the diet of Americans living in the southern United States, in addition to purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ) and sweet potato greens ( Ipomoea batatas L.), novel GLVs within the diet, are potent dietary reservoirs of antioxidant and bioactive compounds that may decrease disease risk [ 23 , 24 ]. Previous research has demonstrated the ability of collard greens, purslane and sweet potato greens to favorable modify the hepatic fatty acid profile of spontaneously hypertensive rats after 4 weeks consumption [ 25 ]. The aim of the present research study was to evaluate the influence of collard greens (CG), purslane (PL) and sweet potato greens (SPG), supplemented into diets with a 25:1 ω-6/ω-3 FAR, on the erythrocyte fatty acid profiles of male spontaneously hypertensive rats.…”