Euterpe Oleracea (Açai) Modifies Sterol Metabolism and Attenuates Experimentally-Induced Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Aim: Euterpe oleracea (açai) is a fruit from the Amazon region whose chemical composition may be beneficial for individuals with atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that consumption of Euterpe oleracea would reduce atherosclerosis development by decreasing cholesterol absorption and synthesis. Methods: Male New Zealand rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (0.5%) for 12 weeks, when they were randomized to receive Euterpe oleracea extract (n = 15) or water (n = 12) plus a 0.05% cholesterol-enriched diet for an additional 12 weeks. Plasma phytosterols and desmosterol were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Atherosclerotic lesions were estimated by computerized planimetry and histomorphometry. Results: At sacrifice, animals treated with Euterpe oleracea had lower levels of total cholesterol (p=0.03), non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) and triglycerides (p = 0.02) than controls. These animals had smaller atherosclerotic plaque area in their aortas (p= 0.001) and a smaller intima/media ratio (p=0.002) than controls, without differences in plaque composition. At the end of the study, campesterol, β-sitosterol, and desmosterol plasma levels did not differ between groups; however, animals treated with Euterpe oleracea showed lower desmosterol/campesterol (p = 0.026) and desmosterol/ β-sitosterol (p = 0.006) ratios than controls. Conclusions: Consumption of Euterpe oleracea extract markedly improved the lipid profile and attenuated atherosclerosis. These effects were related in part to a better balance in the synthesis and absorption of sterols. J Atheroscler Thromb, 2012; 19:237-245.

Açai (Euterpe oleraceaMart.) Upregulates Paraoxonase 1 Gene Expression and Activity with Concomitant Reduction of Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

“…Moreover, it was demonstrated that C57BL/6 ApoA-I −/− mice developed NAFLD, suggesting that ApoA-I can be an important modulator of processes associated with deposition of lipids in the liver and development of diet-induced NAFLD. Our findings reinforce the notion of antiatherogenic effects of açai, as suggested elsewhere [84]. …”

Jussara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation during pregnancy and lactation modulates UCP-1 and inflammation biomarkers induced by trans-fatty acids in the brown adipose tissue of offspring

“…Furthermore, anthocyanins may activate the AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK) engaged in increasing skeletal muscle glucose uptake, reducing lipogenesis, promoting lipolysis and reducing cholesterol synthesis [46]. In agreement with our results, treatment with açai extract in male rabbits fed a diet enriched with 0.5% cholesterol for 12 weeks was effective in reducing triacylglycerol levels [48]. Emiliano et al, 2011 andResende et al, 2013 gave grape skin extract to rats fed a high fat diet during lactation, and they found that a dose of 200 mg/kg/day protected male and female offsprings from hypertriglyceridemia and enhanced glucose metabolism in adulthood [24,25].…”

Differences in synthesis and absorption of cholesterol of two effective lipid-lowering therapies

“…For the quantification of β-sitosterol and campesterol (markers of sterol absorption), as well as for desmosterol (a precursor of endogenous cholesterol synthesis), we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) as previously reported (18, 19). Briefly, the method consisted of liquid-liquid extraction followed by separation in the UPLC system and detection with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) ion source mass spectrometer operating on “single ion monitoring” for each sterol (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and desmosterol).…”