Abstract Fructose consumption has increased worldwide, and it has been associated with the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance (IR) and steatosis. The aim was to evaluate if lower fructose concentrations may cause pancreatic structural abnormalities, leading to a glucose intolerance without steatosis in male rats. Young male rats orally received 7% fructose solution for 12 weeks. Body weight, food, water, and energy intake were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. After final experimental period, all rats were anaesthetized and killed. Blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses and organs (liver and pancreas) were processed for morphological analyses. Fructose consumption was not associated with lipid accumulation in liver. However, fructose administration was associated with an increased area under curve from OGTT and an increased percentage of insulin-positive cells, high beta cell mass and reduced pancreatic islet area. Fructose supplementation (7%) did not cause steatosis, but it led to abnormal morphology and function of pancreatic islet cells, contributing for glucose intolerance development. Our findings demonstrate that even low fructose concentrations may cause deleterious effects in animals.

ABSTRACT Bauhinia holophylla, commonly known as “cow’s hoof”, is widely used in Brazilian folk medicine for the diabetes treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was at evaluating the aqueous extract effect of Bauhinia holophylla leaves treatment on the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by Streptozotocin (40 mg/Kg) in female Wistar rats. Oral administration of aqueous extract of Bauhinia holophylla leaves was given to non-diabetic and diabetic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg during 21 days. On day 17 of treatment, the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test was performed to determine the area under the curve. At the end of the treatment, the animals were anesthetized and blood was collected for serum biochemical parameters analysis. After treatment with Bauhinia holophylla extract, non-diabetic and diabetic rats presented no glycemic changes. On the other hand, the plant treatment decreased body weight and increased ALT and AST activities. In conclusion, the treatment with aqueous extract of B. holophylla leaves given to diabetic rats presented no hypoglycemic effect in nondiabetic animals and no antidiabetic effect in diabetic animals with the doses studied. In addition, the diabetic animals treated with the B. holophylla extract showed inconvenient effects and its indiscriminate consumption requires particular carefulness.

Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar os efeitos da suplementação de óleo de coco (SOC) na composição corporal e no perfil lipídico de ratos submetidos ao exercício físico. Os animais (n=6 por grupo) foram divididos aleatoriamente em: G1=sedentários e não-suplementados (Grupo Controle), G2=sedentários e suplementados, G3=exercitados e não-suplementados e G4=exercitados e suplementados. O protocolo da SOC foi 3 mL/Kg de massa corporal por gavagem durante 28 dias. O exercício físico foi o treinamento de salto vertical durante 28 dias. Foram avaliados o perfil da massa corporal, Índice de Lee, glicemia e perfil lipídico. A SOC não modificou a massa corporal, mas a massa corporal magra foi menor no G3 em relação ao G2. O Índice de Lee final classificou G1 e G2 como obesos (>30g/cm). O perfil lipídico mostrou que o colesterol total estava menor no G3, a concentração de LDL-c estava menor no G2, as concentrações de triglicerídeos, VLDL-c e HDL-c estavam maiores nos G2 e G4 em relação aos G1 e G3. A suplementação promoveu diminuição da razão LDL-c/HDL-c. Conclui-se que a SOC associada ou não ao exercício físico piora alguns parâmetros lipídicos, como os níveis de triglicerídeos e VLDL-c, sugerindo cuidado com o uso de suplementos lipídicos.

This study aims to verify the effects of coconut oil supplementation (COS) in the body composition and lipid profile of rats submitted to physical exercise. The animals (n=6 per group) were randomly assigned to: G1=Sedentary and Non-supplemented (Control Group), G2=Sedentary and Supplemented, G3=Exercised and Non-supplemented and G4=Exercised and Supplemented. The COS protocol used was 3 mL/Kg of body mass by gavage for 28 days. The physical exercise was the vertical jumping training for 28 days. It was determined the body mass parameters, Lee Index, blood glucose and lipid profile. The COS did not interfere with body mass, but the lean body mass was lower in G3 compared to G2. The final Lee Index classified G1 and G2 as obese (>30g/cm). The lipid profile showed total cholesterol was decreased in G3, LDL-c concentration was decreased in G2, triglycerides, VLDL-c and HDL-c concentrations were increased in G2 and G4 in relation to G1 and G3. The COS decreased LDL-c/HDL-c ratio. In conclusion, the COS associated or not to physical exercise worsen others lipid parameters, like triglycerides and VLDL-c level, showing the care with the use of lipid supplements.