Liver Damage Produced by Malnutrition is Improved by Dietary Supplementation in Mice: Assessment of a Supplement Based on Buriti (A Cerrado Fruit) and Dairy By-products

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition induced by dietary restriction produces several metabolic changes that affect body weight, the digestive system, and annex organs, including the liver. Malnutrition generates a pro-inflammatory state and increases oxidative stress. The liver is one of the vital organs of our body, so it is necessary to analyze the impact of food supplementation on the repair of possible changes that may occur in this organ due to malnutrition. Aims: To evaluate the effects of an inexpensive supplementation derived from Buriti and dairy by-products on liver recovery in malnourished mice, focusing on the expression of oxidative stress-related genes, as well as biochemical and histological parameters. Methods: Swiss mice were divided into six groups and submitted to two treatment phases: food restriction, for malnutrition onset; and renutrition, with mice being fed different diets. Results: Our results indicate that dietary supplementation was successful in recovering liver damage caused by malnutrition in animal models. The new supplement has been shown to recover liver damage with similar or superior results compared to the commercial reference supplement on the market. Conclusion: Our work presents a new composition of low cost food supplement based on buriti and milk derivatives, tested and proven to be effective in the treatment of malnutritvion. The improvements were proven through the recovery of body weight, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.