The Combined Intervention with Germinated Vigna radiata and Aerobic Interval Training Protocol Is an Effective Strategy for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Other Alterations Related to the Metabolic Syndrome in Zucker Rats

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of related metabolic alterations that increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several lifestyle interventions based on dietary treatment with functional ingredients and physical activity are being studied as alternative or reinforcement treatments to the pharmacological ones actually in use. In the present experiment, the combined treatment with mung bean (Vigna radiata), a widely used legume with promising nutritional and health benefits that was included in the experimental diet as raw or 4 day-germinated seed flour, and aerobic interval training protocol (65–85% VO2 max) has been tested in lean and obese Zucker rats following a 2 × 2 × 2 (2 phenotypes, 2 dietary interventions, 2 lifestyles) factorial ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) statistical analysis. Germination of V. radiata over a period of four days originated a significant protein hydrolysis leading to the appearance of low molecular weight peptides. The combination of 4 day-germinated V. radiata and aerobic interval training was more efficient compared to raw V. radiata at improving the aerobic capacity and physical performance, hepatic histology and functionality, and plasma lipid parameters as well as reverting the insulin resistance characteristic of the obese Zucker rat model. In conclusion, the joint intervention with legume sprouts and aerobic interval training protocol is an efficient treatment to improve the alterations of glucose and lipid metabolism as well as hepatic histology and functionality related to the development of NAFLD and the MetS.

Aerobic interval exercise improves renal functionality and affects mineral metabolism in obese Zucker rats

“…Several alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism have been described related to the development of metabolic syndrome in the obese Zucker rat experimental model. In this sense, we previously described impaired glucose tolerance associated with hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia as well as hypertriglyceridemia in these animals (19,20,32), which could lead to diabetic nephropathy. The diabetic nephropathies are described as kidney injuries associated with diabetes mellitus and affecting kidney glomerulus, arterioles, tubules, and the interstitium, including clinical signs as persistent proteinuria, from microalbuminuria progressing to albuminuria, leading to reduced glomerular filtration rate and end-stage renal disease.…”

“…The lack of physical activity is particularly involved in the development of MetS and has been associated with the prevalence of CKD (34). Exercise and diet interventions have beneficial effects on most of the metabolic disorders included in the MetS (20). In this sense, aerobic interval training (AIT) protocols are effective strategies to treat the cardiovascular and liver-associated alterations, especially those related to glucose and lipid metabolism (15,19).…”

Protective role of germinated mung bean against progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats: A dietary therapy to improve fatty liver health

“…Each value mentioned as mean 6 SD; "a" versus control (group 1); "b" versus steatosis (group 2); "c" versus steatohepatitis (group 3) (*p < .05, @ p < .01; # p < .001) alteration in nitrite/nitrate and TBARS contents and decline in GSH level in serum of MCD diet administered animals proves the oxidative imbalance in liver; because, blood serves as the mirror image of internal organ function. GMB which was previously shown as an effective hepatoprotective and hypolipdemic agent was able to decrease the liver enzyme activities and liver histopathology in a dose-dependent manner (Ali et al, 2013;Kapravelou et al, 2017;Son et al, 2014).…”

“…Moreover it is a low cost choice to enhance the available dietaries. Among all pulses, mung bean or green gram ( Vigna radiata ) is explored to be an excellent source of antioxidant and hepatoprotective agent (Ali, Yusof, & Long, ; Kapravelou et al, ; Son, Jang, & Jung, ; Yeap et al, ). Mung bean soup prepared in Chinese medicine is used in detoxification and cooling the human body (Cao et al, ).…”

“…Studies show that GMB is a potent antioxidant when compared with non-GMB (Ali et al, 2013). Previous reports show that GMB could be an effective lipid lowering nutritional diet (Jeon et al, 2014;Kapravelou et al, 2017). On the other hand, there is no research on its capacity in development of NASH.…”