scholarly journals Tropical Seaweeds Improve Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health of Diet-Induced Obese and Hypertensive Rats

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ryan du Preez ◽  
Sunil K. Panchal ◽  
Lindsay Brown
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Plasma Lipid ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Metabolic Health ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Collagen Deposition ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

Seaweeds have been an important part of the diet of coastal populations in Asia possibly for millennia but only a few scattered coastal communities in Europe and the Americas have maintained these traditions. Our studies have investigated the potential of two tropical seaweeds grown commercially in Asia, Sarconema and Caulerpa spp., as functional foods for the reversal of metabolic syndrome and possible mechanisms. Sarconema spp. are a source of carrageenans used as thickening and gelling agents in foods, while Caulerpa spp. are consumed in Southeast Asia as low-energy foods with high contents of vitamins and minerals. For our studies, male Wistar rats were divided into groups in a 16-week protocol: corn starch diet-fed rats (C); C rats supplemented with 5% dried seaweed for the last 8 weeks; high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed rats (H); and H rats supplemented with 5% dried seaweed for the last 8 weeks. H rats developed obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, fatty liver and increased left ventricular collagen deposition, infiltration of inflammatory cells and plasma liver enzyme activities. Seaweed supplementation decreased body weight, abdominal and liver fat, systolic blood pressure, plasma lipid concentrations, plasma activities of liver enzymes and collagen deposition. Furthermore, seaweed supplementation modulated gut microbiota. Possible mechanisms for improved cardiovascular and metabolic health include a reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into organs as well as an increased intake of fibre modulating gut microbiota composition.

scholarly journals Brown Seaweed Sargassum siliquosum as an Intervention for Diet-Induced Obesity in Male Wistar Rats

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1754
Author(s):  
Ryan du Preez ◽  
Marie Magnusson ◽  
Marwan E. Majzoub ◽  
Torsten Thomas ◽  
Christina Praeger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Brown Seaweed ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Fat Deposition ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Ventricular Fibrosis

The therapeutic potential of Sargassum siliquosum grown in Australian tropical waters was tested in a rat model of metabolic syndrome. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 12 rats and each group was fed a different diet for 16 weeks: corn starch diet (C); high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (H) containing fructose, sucrose, saturated and trans fats; and C or H diets with 5% S. siliquosum mixed into the food from weeks 9 to 16 (CS and HS). Obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, impaired glucose tolerance, fatty liver and left ventricular fibrosis developed in H rats. In HS rats, S. siliquosum decreased body weight (H, 547 ± 14; HS, 490 ± 16 g), fat mass (H, 248 ± 27; HS, 193 ± 19 g), abdominal fat deposition and liver fat vacuole size but did not reverse cardiovascular and liver effects. H rats showed marked changes in gut microbiota compared to C rats, while S. siliquosum supplementation increased gut microbiota belonging to the family Muribaculaceae. This selective increase in gut microbiota likely complements the prebiotic actions of the alginates. Thus, S. siliquosum may be a useful dietary additive to decrease abdominal and liver fat deposition.

scholarly journals Caulerpa lentillifera (Sea Grapes) Improves Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health of Rats with Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Ryan du Preez ◽  
Marwan E. Majzoub ◽  
Torsten Thomas ◽  
Sunil K. Panchal ◽  
Lindsay Brown
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
High Fat ◽  
High Carbohydrate ◽  
Insoluble Fibre ◽  
Caulerpa Lentillifera

Caulerpa lentillifera (sea grapes) is widely consumed in South-East Asia as a low-energy food with high contents of vitamins and minerals. This study investigated dried sea grapes containing 16.6% insoluble fibre commercially produced in Vietnam as an intervention. We hypothesised that insoluble fibre is the primary metabolite that will reverse diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Male Wistar rats (n = 48) were randomly allocated to four groups in a 16 week protocol. Two groups were fed either corn starch (C) or high-carbohydrate, high-fat (H) diets for the full 16 weeks. The other two groups received C and H diets for eight weeks and then received C. lentillifera added to these diets for the final eight weeks (CCL and HCL, respectively). High-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed rats developed obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, fatty liver disease and increased left ventricular collagen deposition. C. lentillifera supplementation in HCL rats decreased body weight, systolic blood pressure, plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids, inflammatory cells in heart and liver, and visceral adiposity. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in the gut microbiota of HCL rats. Therefore, C. lentillifera attenuated cardiovascular and metabolic symptoms of metabolic syndrome in rats, possibly by preventing infiltration of inflammatory cells together with modulating gut microbiota.

scholarly journals Nannochloropsis oceanica as a Microalgal Food Intervention in Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3991
Author(s):  
Ryan du Preez ◽  
Marwan E. Majzoub ◽  
Torsten Thomas ◽  
Sunil K. Panchal ◽  
Lindsay Brown
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Obesity Hypertension ◽  
Ventricular Fibrosis ◽  
Fat Diets

The microalgal genus Nannochloropsis has broad applicability to produce biofuels, animal feed supplements and other value-added products including proteins, carotenoids and lipids. This study investigated a potential role of N. oceanica in the reversal of metabolic syndrome. Male Wistar rats (n = 48) were divided into four groups in a 16-week protocol. Two groups were fed either corn starch or high-carbohydrate, high-fat diets (C and H, respectively) for the full 16 weeks. The other two groups received C and H diets for eight weeks and then received 5% freeze-dried N. oceanica in these diets for the final eight weeks (CN and HN, respectively) of the protocol. The H diet was high in fructose and sucrose, together with increased saturated and trans fats. H rats developed obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, fatty liver disease and left ventricular fibrosis. N. oceanica increased lean mass in CN and HN rats, possibly due to the increased protein intake, and decreased fat mass in HN rats. Intervention with N. oceanica did not change cardiovascular, liver and metabolic parameters or gut structure. The relative abundance of Oxyphotobacteria in the gut microbiota was increased. N. oceanica may be an effective functional food against metabolic syndrome as a sustainable protein source.

scholarly journals Reversal of cardiovascular remodelling with candesartan

2001 ◽  
Vol 2 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S141-S147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay Brown ◽  
Andrew Fenning ◽  
Annie Shek ◽  
Darryl Burstow
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
No Production ◽  
Collagen Deposition ◽  
Maximal Increase ◽  
Concentric Hypertrophy ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Diastolic Stiffness ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Ectopic Beats

Cardiovascular remodelling, defined as ventricular and vascular hypertrophy together with fibrosis, characterises hypertension following inhibition of the production of the endogenous vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). This study has determined whether the cardiovascular remodelling following chronic NO synthase inhibition can be reversed by administration of the selective angiotensin II AT1-receptor antagonist, candesartan. Male Wistar rats were treated with L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 400 mg/l in drinking water) for eight weeks and with candesartan cilexetil (2 mg/kg/day by oral gavage) for the last four weeks. L-NAME-treated rats became hypertensive with systolic blood pressure increasing from 110±4 mmHg (control) to 170±10 mmHg. Rats developed left ventricular hypertrophy (control 1.70±0.06; L-NAME 2.10±0.04 mg/kg body wt) with markedly increased deposition of perivascular and interstitial collagen. Candesartan returned blood pressure, left ventricular weights and collagen deposition to control values. Echocardiographic assessment showed concentric hypertrophy with an increased fractional shortening; this was reversed by candesartan treatment. Heart failure was not evident. In the isolated Langendorff heart, diastolic stiffness increased in L-NAME-treated rats while the rate of increase in pressure (+dP/dt) increased after eight weeks only; candesartan reduced collagen deposition and normalised +dP/dt. In isolated left ventricular papillary muscles, the potency (negative log EC50) of noradrenaline as a positive inotropic compound was unchanged, (control 6.56±0.14); maximal increase in force before ectopic beats was reduced from 5.0±0.4 mN to 2.0±0.2 mN. Noradrenaline potency as a vasoconstrictor in thoracic aortic rings was unchanged, but maximal contraction was markedly reduced from 25.2±2.0 mN to 3.0±0.3 mN; this was partially reversed by candesartan treatment. Thus, chronic inhibition of NO production with L-NAME induces hypertension, hypertrophy and fibrosis with increased toxicity and significant decreases in vascular responses to noradrenaline. These changes were at least partially reversible by treatment with candesartan, implying a significant role of AT1-receptors in L-NAME-induced cardiovascular changes.

scholarly journals Carrageenans from the Red Seaweed Sarconema filiforme Attenuate Symptoms of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan du Preez ◽  
Nicholas Paul ◽  
Peter Mouatt ◽  
Marwan E. Majzoub ◽  
Torsten Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Liver Fat ◽  
Red Seaweed ◽  
High Fat ◽  
High Carbohydrate ◽  
Sarconema Filiforme

Carrageenans are thickening and gelling agents that may provide health benefits. Iota (ι)-carrageenan, a linear sulfated polysaccharide, is produced by the red seaweed, Sarconema filiforme. This study investigated the potential of this seaweed as a functional food for the reversal of metabolic syndrome and possible mechanisms. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups in a 16-week protocol: corn starch diet-fed rats (C); C rats supplemented with 5% S. filiforme for the last 8 weeks (CSF); high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed rats (H); and H rats supplemented with 5% S. filiforme for the last 8 weeks (HSF). S. filiforme was produced in tank-based aquaculture yielding 27 g dry weight/day/m2 of culture area. H rats developed obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance, fatty liver and increased left ventricular collagen deposition. S. filiforme supplementation decreased body weight, abdominal and liver fat, systolic blood pressure, plasma total cholesterol concentrations, and plasma activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. S. filiforme supplementation modulated gut microbiota without changing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. S. filiforme improved symptoms of high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Possible mechanisms include a reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into organs as well as prebiotic actions in the gastrointestinal tract.

scholarly journals Achacha (Garcinia humilis) Rind Improves Cardiovascular Function in Rats with Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver John ◽  
Stephen Wanyonyi ◽  
Peter Mouatt ◽  
Sunil Panchal ◽  
Lindsay Brown
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
High Fat Diet ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
South American ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
High Carbohydrate ◽  
Male Wistar Rats

Garcinia humilis is a fruit known as achachairú. It is native to South American countries such as Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil, but it is also cultivated as achacha in northern Australia. The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemicals in achacha rind and pulp and to investigate these components as potential treatments for the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Both rind and pulp contain procyanidins and citric acid rather than hydroxycitric acid. Male Wistar rats (8–9 weeks old) were fed with either high-carbohydrate, high-fat, or corn starch diets for 16 weeks. Intervention groups were fed with either diet supplemented with 1.5% G. humilis rind powder or 2.0% G. humilis pulp for the last 8 weeks of the protocol. Rats fed a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet exhibited hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. G. humilis rind decreased systolic blood pressure, diastolic stiffness, left ventricular inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-fed rats. However, there was no change in glucose tolerance, body weight, or body composition. Therefore, G. humilis rind, usually a food by-product, but not the edible pulp, showed potential cardioprotection with minimal metabolic changes in a rat model of diet-induced metabolic syndrome.

The Consumption of Galactomannan Effervescent Drinks made from Coconut Pulp Waste and Colonic Microbiota in Wistar Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Sri Winarti ◽  
Agung Pasetyo
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colonic Microbiota ◽  
Male Wistar Rats ◽  
Lactobacillus Spp ◽  
Chain Fatty Acids

The consumption of prebiotics is known to affect the balance of gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to explore how a galactomannan-rich effervescent drink can affect the population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum of rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (aged 2 months) were divided equally into 7 groups and treated orally each day for 15 days with 2 mL effervescent drinks with increasing levels of prebiotic galactomannan. The dosage of 500 mg galactomannan increased the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. with inhibition of the growth of E.coli with increased formation of short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the cecum of rats.

scholarly journals Rind from Purple Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Attenuates Diet-Induced Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Obese Rats

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Oliver D. John ◽  
Peter Mouatt ◽  
Sunil K. Panchal ◽  
Lindsay Brown
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Metabolic Changes ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Garcinia Mangostana ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Cardiovascular Parameters ◽  
Left Ventricular Stiffness

The pulp of the purple mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana, is a popular tropical fruit but the rind containing xanthones such as α-mangostin together with procyanidins and anthocyanidins is usually discarded as waste. However, this rind has been used in South-East Asia for diarrhoea, dysentery, skin infections and wounds. As xanthones have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses, this study has determined the bioactive compounds and evaluated the effects of G. mangostana rind on physiological, metabolic, liver and cardiovascular parameters in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Rats fed a diet with increased simple sugars and saturated fats developed obesity, hypertension, increased left ventricular stiffness, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver. Administration of G. mangostana rind as 5% of the food to rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome gave a dose of 168 mg/kg/day α-mangostin, 355 mg/kg/day procyanidins, 3.9 mg/kg/day anthocyanins and 11.8 mg/kg/day hydroxycitric acid for 8 weeks which reduced body weight and attenuated physiological and metabolic changes in rats including decreased abdominal fat deposition, decreased abdominal circumference and whole-body fat mass, improved liver structure and function and improved cardiovascular parameters such as systolic blood pressure, left ventricular stiffness and endothelial function. These responses were associated with decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells, decreased deposition of collagen in both heart and liver and decreased mean adipocyte size in retroperitoneal adipose tissues. We conclude that, in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome, chronic intake of G. mangostana rind decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells which decreased physiological, metabolic, liver and cardiovascular symptoms.

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