Euterpe edulis Extract but Not Oil Enhances Antioxidant Defenses and Protects against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by a High-Fat Diet in Rats.

We investigated the effects of E. edulis bioproducts (lyophilized pulp [LEE], defatted lyophilized pulp [LDEE], and oil [EO]) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. All products were chemically analyzed. In vivo, 42 rats were equally randomized into seven groups receiving standard diet, HFD alone or combined with EO, LEE, or LDEE. After NAFLD induction, LEE, LDEE, or EO was added to the animals' diet for 4 weeks. LEE was rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. From LEE degreasing, LDEE presented higher levels of anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity in vitro. Dietary intake of LEE and especially LDEE, but not EO, attenuated diet-induced NAFLD, reducing inflammatory infiltrate, steatosis, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. Although both E. edulis bioproducts were not hepatotoxic, only LDEE presented sufficient benefits to treat NAFLD in rats, possibly by its low lipid content and high amount of phenols and anthocyanins.

1. Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased worldwide and has been widely associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and dyslipidemia [1, 2]. Although the pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial, lifestyle, especially unhealthy dietary habits, is a pivotal risk factor for this condition [3-5]. NAFLD has become the most common liver disease in the United States and developed countries [1, 3, 5]. It is recognized that NAFLD develops as a consequence of immune-inflammatory mechanisms, which trigger the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive liver damage [1, 6]. In the absence of effective treatments, some patients with NAFLD may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure, and death [2, 4].

In the last decades, foods rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins have been marketed as nutraceuticals or functional foods [7-9], whose therapeutic potential is often claimed, but mostly unproven [10]. A broad spectrum of biological activity has been attributed to polyphenols. However, particularly their immunomodulatory (i.e., anti-inflammatory) and antioxidant properties, as well as the alleged “absence of side effects,” have contributed to the wide acceptance of such substances in daily health care [10, 11]. Since in vitro and in vivo evidences of the therapeutic efficiency and biosafety of dietary intake of polyphenol-based products are frequently conflicting [10, 12, 13], to determine whether polyphenol supplementation could be useful for treating metabolic disturbances, including NAFLD, represents a challenging task.

Considering that polyphenols can modulate inflammation, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism [12-14], the rational screening of vegetable extracts rich in polyphenols has been considered a promising strategy for the development of new products potentially applicable in the management of metabolic disorders [7, 12, 14]. The fruit of the palm Euterpe edulis Mart. (Arecaceae), also called “açaí,” has emerged as an important source of natural antioxidants, especially anthocyanins [13, 15–17]. Recently, our research group identified a high content of anthocyanins in an E. edulis extract and a remarkable antioxidant potential in vitro [13, 17]. Furthermore, dietary intake of E. edulis extract alone [17] or combined with aerobic exercise training [13] was effective in attenuating genetically determined dyslipidemia and steatosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE−/−) fed a normocaloric diet [17]. However, the biological potential of E. edulis pulp and its derivatives to treat environmental dyslipidemia and NAFLD (determined by dietary intake) in vivo and its applicability as a functional food still needs to be proven. Thus, in the present study, we produced three derivatives of E. edulis fruit (lyophilized pulp, defatted lyophilized pulp, and pulp oil) and investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with these derivatives on morphofunctional liver injury induced by a high-fat diet in rats. We specifically hypothesized that supplementation with E. edulis derivatives, especially the extract rich in phenols and anthocyanins, would protect liver tissue against NAFLD.

2. Methods and Materials

2.1. Plant Material and Extraction of LEE, LDEE, and EO

E. edulis fruit was collected in an Atlantic Forest biome (latitude: −20, 97337439; longitude: −42, 52883943; height: 744.661 m), Brazil. Ripe fruits were selected, weighed, and disinfected with chlorinated water. The pulp was separated in an industrial depulper, passed through a fine mesh screen, and lyophilized (Liotop lyophilizer, Brazil). The lyophilized pulp of E. edulis was named LEE. An LEE sample was subjected to oil extraction by a defatting process (18.0 g of LEE was extracted with 600 mL ethyl ether using a Soxhlet extractor for 12 h). The lipophilic solvent was completely removed by rotary evaporator, producing E. edulis fruit oil (EO). The remaining defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruit was named LDEE.

2.2. LEE and LDEE Centesimal Composition

The extracts were analyzed for moisture, ash, lipid, protein, and carbohydrate according to the official methods described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) [18]. Total lipids were quantified after extraction with ether in the Soxhlet extractor. The total protein content was measured by the classic Kjeldahl method, and carbohydrate content was determined by percentage difference by subtracting the values of moisture, ash, lipids, and proteins [18]. The levels of alimentary soluble and insoluble fiber were determined by a gravimetric-enzymatic method [19] using a commercial kit (Sigma-Aldrich, Brazil). Fibers fractionation was performed according to the Van Soest method [19]. The estimated percentage of cell wall (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) is given by the sum of the neutral detergent-soluble fractions. The less digestible portion of the cell wall (cellulose and lignin) was estimated by analysis of fiber in acid detergent in the insoluble fraction.

2.3. Spectrophotometric Determination of Phenolic Compounds and Anthocyanins in LEE and LDEE

The total phenolic content was determined with the Folin-Ciocalteu method using gallic acid as the standard [20]. The absorbance at 765 nm was evaluated by spectrophotometry. The results were expressed in mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry extract (mg GAE/g). The total anthocyanin content (TAC) was determined according to Cheng and Breen [21]. The absorbance of the mixtures was measured at 520 and 700 nm in buffers at pH 1.0 and 4.5. TAC (100 g/g of sample) was calculated using the equation for cyanidin-3-glucoside: TAC (%  w/w) = A × MW × DF × V × 100%/ε × lW, where A = (A 520 − A 700)pH 1.0 − (A 520 − A 700)pH 4.5, MW (cyanidin-3-glucoside molecular weight) = 449.2 g/mol, DF is dilution factor (0.4), ε (cyanidin-3-glucoside extinction coefficient) = 26.900 mol/L, l is optical path in cm, W is weight of sample (mg), and 103 is conversion factor from g to mg.

2.4. Determination of LEE and LDEE Antioxidant Activity

The antioxidant activity of LEE and LDEE was determined in vitro by the stable organic free radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) photocolorimetric method [22]. DPPH reagent (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) was resuspended with methanol to obtain a DPPH working solution at 0.06 mM or 60 μM. Solutions were prepared from LEE and LDEE in different concentrations (0.1 to 25.0 mg/mL). An aliquot of each solution (0.1 mL) was added to DPPH solution (0.06 mM). The solutions were read in a spectrometer at 515 nm and DPPH radical scavenging activities were calculated: % DPPH radical scavenging = ([A control − A sample]/A control) × 100.

2.5. Analysis of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in LEE, LDEE, and EO

The extraction and analysis of vitamin E components (α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) were performed according to Cardoso et al. [23]. The vitamin E components were analyzed by HPLC using 15 μL LDEE, 10 μL LEE, and 5 μL EO. Peak identification was based on comparison of RT values with six authentic standards of tocopherols and tocotrienols. The quantification was performed by an analytical curve constructed from injection of six increasing concentrations of standard solutions. The total content of vitamin E was calculated by adding the components of the vitamin E identified in the samples.

2.6. Fatty Acids Profile in EO

The fatty acid composition of EO was determined by gas chromatography according to the protocols described by AOAC [18].

2.7. In Vivo Assay

Male Wistar rats (30 days old, weighing 85 ± 5 g) were used. The animals were maintained under controlled conditions with light/dark periods of 12/12 h, temperature set to 21 ± 2°C, and relative air humidity of 60–70%. All experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Research of the Federal University of Viçosa (protocol 41/2014).

2.8. Experimental Design and Diets

Forty-two animals were randomly assigned to seven groups with six animals each as follows: (1) HFD alone or combined with (2) 4% EO; (3) and (4) 5% or 10% LEE; (5) and (6) 5% or 10% LDEE; (7) control animals receiving a standard diet. Animals in groups G1 to G6 received a high-fat diet (HFD, cafeteria diet) for 4 weeks to induce hepatic damage [6]. After this period, LEE, LDEE, or EO was added to the animals' diet for another 4 weeks. Animals in G7 (control group) were concurrently treated with a standard diet for rodents (Presence, Paulínia, SP, Brazil). The HFD consisted of ham pâté, mortadella, bacon, chocolate, powdered milk, potato chips, and a commercial diet for rats (2 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1) totaling 50% fat, 20% protein, and 30% carbohydrate [6]. All the diets and water were provided ad libitum. During the experiment, animals were weighed every 3 days and food intake was measured daily. After the experimental period, the animals were euthanized by cardiac puncture under anesthesia in a halothane chamber.

2.9. Histopathology and Stereology

Liver samples (median lobe) were fixed in Bouin's solution and dehydrated ethanol and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections (4 μm thick) were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Morphological changes in liver tissue were examined by the stereological method, using a test system of 300 points in a standard test area (At) of 73 × 103  μm2. Sixty histological fields from each group (×400 magnification) were randomly sampled and a total of 4.65 × 104  μm2 liver area was analyzed. To avoid repeated analysis of the same histological area, sections were evaluated in semiseries, using one of every 20 sections. The volume densities of hepatocytes (V v [hep], %), interstitium (V v [int], %), sinusoid capillaries (V v [inf], %), inflammatory cells (V v [inf cells], %), and lipid droplets (V v [LD], %) were estimated [24]. The volume densities (V v) were estimated by counting points using the following formula: V v = P P [structure]/P T, where P P is the number of points situated over the structure of interest and P T is the total test points of the test system [25, 26]. The volumes of 50 hepatocyte nuclei (V [HN], μm3) for each animal were determined according to the kariometric method previously described [27]. All morphological analyses were performed using Image Pro-Plus 4.5 image analysis software (Media Cybernetics, Silver Spring, MD, USA) [26, 28].

2.10. Oxidative Stress

Lipid peroxidation in liver tissue was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) [29]. Briefly, a liver sample (100 mg) was homogenized in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and then centrifuged (10000 ×g, 10 min) and the supernatant was reacted with thiobarbituric acid solution (trichloroacetic acid 15%, thiobarbituric acid 0.375%, and 0.25 N HCl) for 15 min. The formation of TBARS was spectrophotometrically monitored at 535 nm as previously described.

Catalase (CAT) activity was evaluated in liver supernatant according to the method described by Aebi [30] by measuring the rate of H2O2 decomposition over 1 min. Glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity was determined spectrophotometrically by the product formed from the complexation of reduced glutathione with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene according to Keen et al. [31]. SOD activity was estimated by a xanthine oxidase method based on the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium [32].

2.11. Biochemical Parameters

Blood samples were collected and centrifuged, and the serum was used for the biochemical determination of ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). All parameters were analyzed using commercial kits according to the manufacturer's directions (Human In Vitro Diagnostics, Minas Gerais, Brazil) [24, 26, 28].

2.12. Statistical Analysis

The data were expressed as means ± standard deviations (mean ± SD). The normality in data distribution was verified using the D'Agostino-Pearson test. The morphological data were submitted to the Kruskal-Wallis test and the biochemical data were analyzed by unifactorial one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

3. Results

The levels of total fiber (soluble and insoluble) and carbohydrate were higher in LDEE (fiber, 59.58%; carbohydrate, 77.74%) compared to LEE (fiber, 44.81%; carbohydrate, 62.66%; p < 0.05). Protein content was low and similar in LEE (7.34%) and LDEE (8.88%; p > 0.05). The lipid content of LEE (25%) was adequately removed after the degreasing process. The resultant LDEE presented a dramatic reduction (−2134 kJ/100 g) in caloric content (LEE, 3214 kJ/100 g, versus LDEE, 1080 kJ/100 g, Table 1).

Table 1

Centesimal chemical composition of the lyophilized extracts of E. edulis fruits before and after degreasing.

Components	LEE (%)	LDEE (%)
Moisture	2.37 ± 0.40a	9.29 ± 0.80b
Ash	3.04 ± 0.10a	4.09 ± 0.20b
Protein	7.34 ± 0.60a	8.88 ± 1.10a
Total lipid	24.59 ± 1.50	—
Carbohydrates	62.66 ± 2.40a	77.74 ± 1.80b
Soluble fibers	1.80 ± 0.00a	2.39 ± 0.010b
Insoluble fibers	43.11 ± 0.20a	57.19 ± 0.30b
Lignin	9.2 ± 0.30a	9.49 ± 0.40a
Cellulose	6.53 ± 1.10a	10.31 ± 0.70b
Hemicellulose	15.51 ± 2.80a	24.25 ± 2.50b
Cutin	7.10 ± 0.80a	10.70 ± 0.50b
Caloric value (kJ/100 g)	3214a	1080b

LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; —, absent component. Data are expressed as mean of five replicates ± standard deviation. a,bMeans followed by the same letter in the line do not differ statistically among themselves.

The total polyphenol and anthocyanin content was higher in LDEE compared to LEE (p < 0.05). After LEE degreasing, LDEE was enriched with 46.53% of anthocyanins (p < 0.05). The antioxidant activity of LDEE (1428 mg/L) was 52.72% higher compared to LEE (3020 mg/L, p < 0.05, Table 2).

Table 2

Polyphenols, anthocyanins, and in vitro antioxidant capacity of lyophilized extracts and oil of E. edulis fruits.

Components	LEE	LDEE
Polyphenols (mg GAE/g)	4.10 ± 0.13a	4.95 ± 0.07b
Anthocyanins (mg GAE/g)	2130 ± 114a	3121 ± 139b
Antioxidant capacity (mg/L)	3020 ± 80.00a	1428 ± 66.00b

LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits. GAE, gallic acid equivalent. The results were expressed as mean of five replicates ± standard deviation. a,bMeans followed by the same letter in the line do not differ statistically among themselves.

The concentrations of α-, β-, and γ-tocopherol isomers identified in EO were higher than in LEE and LDEE (EO > LEE > LDEE). Total vitamin E levels and α-tocopherol activity were also higher in EO compared to LEE and LDEE (Table 3). The main fatty acids identified in EO were unsaturated (76.6%), with a preponderance of oleic acid (50.29%) and linoleic acid (24.24%, Table 4).

Table 3

Vitamin E content in lyophilized extracts and oil of E. edulis fruits.

Components	LEE	LDEE	EO
α-tocopherol	32.17 ± 0.61a	2.10 ± 0.30b	140.45 ± 3.56c
β-tocopherol	1.50 ± 0.01a	0.11 ± 0.01b	7.10 ± 0.07c
γ-tocopherol	1.71 ± 0.01a	0.10 ± 0.01b	7.37 ± 0.03c
Total vitamin E1	35.38 ± 0.61a	2.31 ± 0.03b	154.92 ± 3.67c
α-tocopherol activity	33.09 ± 0.62a	2.16 ± 0.03b	144.74 ± 2.60c

LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; EO, E. edulis oil. 1Obtained by summing the concentrations of all isomers, with a weight of 1 for α-tocopherol and 0.3 for β- and γ-tocopherol. The results were expressed as mean of five replicates ± standard deviation. a,b,cMeans followed by the same letter in the line do not differ statistically among themselves.

Table 4

Fatty acids profile of E. edulis fruits oil.

Specification	Content (%)	Retention time (min)
Palmitic acid (16:0)	21.30 ± 0.20	24.191
Behenic acid (22:0)	0.04 ± 0.04	34.785
Margaric acid (17:0)	0.02 ± 0.03	26.240
Arachidic acid (20:0)	0.06 ± 0.07	31.342
Stearic acid (18:0)	1.99 ± 0.00	27.833
∑Unsaturated  fatty  acids	23.4
Linoleic acid (18:2Δ9,12)	24.24 ± 0.25	30.572
Palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9)	1.16 ± 0.07	25.411
Gadoleic acid (20:1Δ11)	0.49 ± 0.45	32.486
Oleic acid (18:1Δ9)	50.29 ± 0.52	29.048
Margaroleic acid (17:1Δ9)	0.04 ± 0.02	27.370
∑Saturated  fatty  acids	76.6

The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation of five replicates and expressed in fresh base. Chromatographic conditions are according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists [18].

The HFD was effective in inducing marked liver steatosis in rats (G1). The control group (G7), which received a conventional diet, presented a normal liver structure with hepatocytes regularly organized in a cordonal pattern. No evidence of liver steatosis was observed in this group (Figure 1). All stereological parameters analyzed were completely impaired in G1 compared to G7 (p < 0.05, Table 5). These results indicated that animals in G1 presented intense parenchymal hypotrophy (V v [hep] and V [HN]), tissue conjunctivalization (V v [int]), and inflammatory infiltrate (V v [inf]) and proved the accumulation of lipid droplets (V v [LD]) in liver tissue (a pathognomonic feature of steatosis). In general, these parameters were similar in animals receiving EO and attenuated in those treated with 10% LDEE (G6) compared to G1 (p < 0.05). Supplementation with 10% LEE (G4) was also effective in reducing inflammatory infiltrate in liver tissue compared to G1 (p < 0.05).

Figure 1

Representative photomicrographs of the liver tissue from rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) and the lyophilized extracts and oil of E. edulis fruits. LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; EO, E. edulis oil. G1, HFD; G2, HFD + 4% EO; G3, HFD + 5% LEE; G4, HFD + 10% LEE; G5, HFD + 5% LDEE; G6, HFD + 10% LDEE; G7, commercial diet. The image highlighted in G1 indicates macrovesicular steatosis and in G2 inflammatory foci are additionally observed.

Table 5

Stereological parameters of the liver tissue from rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) and the lyophilized extracts and oil of E. edulis fruits.

Groups	V v [hep], %	V v [int], %	V v [cap], %	V v [Inf], %	V v [LD], %	V [HN], µm3
G1	78.11 ± 2.07a,b	21.89 ± 2.07a,b	9.26 ± 1.70a	6.63 ± 1.27a	23.39 ± 3.66a,b	428.11 ± 27.31a
G2	75.15 ± 2.31a	24.85 ± 2.31a	9.58 ± 2.02a	6.97 ± 1.83a	25.18 ± 3.82a	412.25 ± 30.12a
G3	78.02 ± 1.93a,b	21.98 ± 1.93a,b	10.05 ± 1.77a	6.81 ± 1.66a	22.05 ± 3.27a,b	436.41 ± 22.62a
G4	78.39 ± 2.11a,b	21.61 ± 2.11a,b	10.73 ± 2.05a	4.50 ± 1.35b	24.12 ± 3.39a	505.37 ± 24.39b
G5	78.92 ± 2.55a,b	21.08 ± 2.55a,b	9.81 ± 1.62a	5.02 ± 1.42a,b	20.26 ± 3.18b	459.13 ± 25.18a
G6	79.75 ± 2.47b	20.25 ± 2.47b	9.67 ± 1.75a	4.01 ± 1.19b	19.07 ± 2.95b	512.58 ± 21.72b
G7	83.37 ± 1.89c	17.63 ± 1.89c	10.40 ± 1.14a	3.11 ± 1.03c	7.38 ± 2.71c	573.81 ± 20.13c

LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; EO, E. edulis oil. V v, volume density; hep, hepatocytes; int, interstitium; cap, capillaries; inflammatory cells; LD, lipid droplets; HN, hepatocytes nuclei. G1, HFD; G2, HFD + 4% EO; G3, HFD + 5% LEE; G4, HFD + 10% LEE; G5, HFD + 5% LDEE; G6, HFD + 10% LDEE; G7, commercial diet. a,b,cDifferent letters in columns denote statistic difference among the groups, p < 0.05.

In general, the animals that received E. edulis extracts (LEE [G3 and G4] and LDEE [G5 and G6]), but not EO (G2), exhibited reduced MDA levels in liver tissue compared to G1 (p < 0.05, Figure 2). CAT and GST activities were lower in groups G4 and G6, and SOD content was lower in all groups receiving LEE and LDEE, both compared to G1 (p < 0.05). The lowest results for MDA and antioxidant enzymes were observed in G6.

Figure 2

Markers of oxidative status in the liver tissue from rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) and the lyophilized extracts and oil of E. edulis fruits. MDA, malondialdehyde; CAT, catalase; GST, glutathione-s-transferase; SOD, superoxide dismutase. LEE, lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; LDEE, defatted lyophilized extract of E. edulis fruits; EO, E. edulis oil. G1, HFD; G2, HFD + 4% EO; G3, HFD + 5% LEE; G4, HFD + 10% LEE; G5, HFD + 5% LDEE; G6, HFD + 10% LDEE; G7, commercial diet. a, b, cDifferent letters in columns denote statistic difference between the groups, p < 0.05.

The results of the serum biochemical analysis are shown in Table 6. Total cholesterol serum levels in G6 and G7 were similar but reduced compared to G1, G2, and G3 (p < 0.05). The levels of CRP, AST, ALT, triacylglycerol, and HDL cholesterol were similar in all groups (p > 0.05).

Table 6

Serum biochemical parameters (U/L) of rats treated with a hypercholesterolemic diet and E. edulis.

	US-PCR	Glucose	TC	TG	HDL	AST	ALT	ALP
G1	0.30 ± 0.12a	194.00 ± 54.70a,b	57.33 ± 5.75a	89.66 ± 38.83a	33.16 ± 5.49a	172.16 ± 98.65a	55.00 ± 18.91a	121.66 ± 30.6a
G2	0.37 ± 0.17a	159.66 ± 12.29a,b	50.83 ± 5.70a	98.33 ± 19.45a	36.83 ± 4.07a	183.16 ± 89.49a	73.83 ± 29.90a	179.00 ± 73.26a
G3	0.66 ± 0.47a	158.00 ± 13.57a,b	53.50 ± 6.05a	91.83 ± 11.30a	35.16 ± 1.72a	123.00 ± 32.92a	59.50 ± 21.49a	170.16 ± 46.81a
G4	0.42 ± 0.15a	190.16 ± 20.12a	62.50 ± 11.23a,c	124.83 ± 44.52a	36.33 ± 5.20a	101.00 ± 23.09a	44.50 ± 10.82a	166.83 ± 48.14a
G5	0.57 ± 0.22a	196.83 ± 27.12a	57.66 ± 3.44a,b	122.33 ± 42.54a	31.83 ± 3.25a	113.00 ± 19.40a	44.50 ± 8.52a	143.33 ± 30.28a
G6	0.21 ± 0.11a	200.66 ± 22.90a	66.66 ± 8.28b,c	114.83 ± 65.48a	34.66 ± 3.55a	94.00 ± 25.04a	52.00 ± 39.37a	130.33 ± 46.24a
G7	0.36 ± 0.18a	139.66 ± 18.47b	69.50 ± 8.82b,c	75.66 ± 11.41a	37.16 ± 8.97a	137.33 ± 38.95a	51.33 ± 14.47a	60.50 ± 25.86b

US-PCR, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; HDL, high density lipoproteins; AST, alanine aminotransferase; ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, ALP, alkaline phosphatase. G1, CD; G2, CD + 4% OE; G3, CD + 5% LEE; G4, CD + 10% LEE; G5, CD + 5% LEDE; G6, CD + 10% LEDE; G7, commercial diet. a,b,cDifferent letters in columns denote statistic difference between the groups, p < 0.05.

4. Discussion

In this study, we investigated the chemical composition of three derivatives obtained from E. edulis fruit and their applicability to protect liver tissue against diet-induced NAFLD in rats. Our results showed that E. edulis pulp is rich in carbohydrates and lipids, which is the main determinant of the high energy value of this pulp. In addition, all E. edulis products (integral extract [LEE], degreased extract [LDEE], and vegetal oil [EO]) presented high levels of antioxidant metabolites. The lipid fraction of E. edulis fruit has a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content and a lower saturated lipid content, which makes it suitable for human consumption [11]. Similar results for the fatty acid composition of E. edulis were found by Borges et al. [15] and Neida and Elba [33], who demonstrated the predominance of oleic and linoleic acids in E. edulis and E. oleracea fruits, respectively. Although the Amazon rainforest açaí (E. oleracea fruit) has excelled in the international market ($121.7 m a year in the USA) [34], the Atlantic Forest açaí (E. edulis fruit) is still a food resource little explored. However, from a nutritional point of view, the chemical composition of E. edulis [13, 15, 17] and E. oleracea is similar [33, 35–37], corroborating the use of E. edulis fruit as a valuable food resource.

Both derivatives EO and LEE were rich in vitamin E. Due to the content of polyphenols and anthocyanins, LEE and LDEE presented high antioxidant activity in vitro. The degreasing process of LEE proved to be effective in increasing polyphenols and anthocyanins, resulting in an enhanced antioxidant capacity of LDEE. This finding indicated that, as expected, the antioxidant capacity of E. edulis fruit is related to its polyphenolic compounds. In fact, in a recent study we also proved the high content of anthocyanins (301.4 mg/100 g dry extract, especially cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-rutinoside) in an E. edulis extract similar to LEE [17]. There is evidence that anthocyanins such as cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside have high antioxidant activity against peroxyl, hydroxyl, and peroxynitrite radicals, an effect potentially associated with the antioxidant capacity of E. oleracea pulp in vivo [37].

When tested in rats, dietary intake of LEE and LDEE, but not EO, was effective in mitigating the development or severity of NAFLD in rats fed an HFD. The extracts, especially LDEE at the highest dose (10%), had a positive impact in reducing hepatocyte hypotrophy, inflammatory infiltrate, microvesicular steatosis, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue (i.e., MDA). Lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress are three pivotal interdependent events in NAFLD pathogenesis [1, 38]. There is evidence that this triad feeds itself in a cycle that worsens morphological and functional liver damage [1, 5, 38, 39]. As a result of inflammatory processes, the activation of leucocytes increases the production of oxidizing agents such as nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2 −), and hydroxyl (OH−) radicals, which are known for amplifying oxidative damage and hepatic dysfunction, including steatosis [24, 25, 28]. Thus, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory drugs have been indicated as rational strategies to prevent and treat NAFLD [2, 5]. Previous studies showed that dietary intake of plant extracts rich in phenols and anthocyanins is capable of downregulating the oxidation of lipids and cell proteins, reducing the inflammatory process and the severity of liver steatosis [13, 14, 17]. The antioxidant activity of many fruits comes from the combined synergic actions of compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins C and E [33, 40]. However, in fruits like açaí, polyphenols and anthocyanins are the main contributors to the antioxidant capacity [14, 17, 35].

As expected, the diet-induced NAFLD triggered liver oxidative stress, requiring a reactive upregulation of antioxidant enzymes. Considering a mechanistic approach, we investigated whether these extracts acted by a direct or indirect way to mitigate lipid peroxidation. In general, while the animals receiving HFD alone or combined with EO presented high MDA levels and increased activities of CAT, SOD, and GST, the animals treated with LEE and LDEE showed the opposite. Thus, these findings indicated that both extracts act in a direct way (independent of the endogenous antioxidant enzymatic system) to neutralize reactive metabolites and modulate the oxidative status. It is possible that, by effectively neutralizing free radicals, LEE and LDEE reduce the consumption of antioxidant enzymes in antioxidant defense processes. This effect is remarkable since the exhaustion of antioxidant enzymes by mass production of free radicals is a pivotal mechanism of tissue damage [24-26]. However, several plant extracts rich in phenol compounds also act by upregulating the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, modulating endogenous antioxidant defenses [24, 25, 36]. Although there is evidence that the major anthocyanin of E. edulis and E. oleracea pulp (cyanidin-3-glucoside) is effective in suppressing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in rats [37], this is a poorly understood issue that requires further investigation.

While LEE and LDEE showed beneficial results, EO dietary intake presented no effect on NAFLD. Thus, animals treated with EO and those receiving HFD alone had high and similar liver damage. Considering that the high activity of CAT, SOD, and GST was similarly observed in these animals, it is possible that the content of vitamin E in EO is not enough to restrict the oxidative stress associated with diet-induced NAFLD. Although previous studies have shown a high antioxidant potential of açaí oil [15, 16, 35], this effect seems not to be reproducible in vivo. Considering the complexity of the disease model applied here, the absence of antioxidant activity cannot be exclusively attributed to the chemical composition of EO. As HFD is a robust model of obesity and NAFLD in rats [6, 41], it is reasonable to assume that additional lipid intake provided by EO supplementation could not be beneficial to treating NAFLD. However, as with LEE and LDEE, EO intake presented no evidence of liver toxicity, since CRP, ALT, and AST serum levels [42] were similar in all groups. Besides no apparent toxicity, larger doses and periods of administration should be investigated before determining the safety level and applicability of these E. edulis derivatives as food supplements.

Taken together, our results indicated that E. edulis pulp is a useful source of natural extracts and oil with high nutritional or biological properties. As determined by chemical analysis, unsaturated lipids are the main components responsible for the high energy value of LEE. By removing LEE lipid content, its degreased derivative (LDEE) presented increased antioxidant capacity in vitro, which was determined by higher levels of phenols and anthocyanins. When tested in vivo, the antioxidant potentials of LEE and LDEE were independent of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, dietary intake of LEE and especially LDEE, but not EO, proved to be beneficial in attenuating diet-induced NAFLD in rats, reducing hepatocyte hypotrophy, inflammatory infiltrate, steatosis, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. As no morphological or functional parameter associated with hepatic steatosis was aggravated, the dietary intake of E. edulis derivatives seems to be safe. However, further clinical studies are still required in order to determine whether E. edulis pulp and its derivatives can be used as dietary supplements in the management of NAFLD induced by HFD.

The detailed composition and energy value of the experimental diets are described in the Supplementary Material.