Effects of red pitaya juice supplementation on cardiovascular and hepatic changes in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome rats

Abstract

BackgroundThe fruit of Hylocereus polyrhizus, also known as red pitaya, and buah naga in Malay, is one of the tropical fruits of the cactus family, Cactaceae. Red pitaya has been shown to protect aorta from oxidative damage and improve lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats probably due to phytochemicals content including phenolics and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cardiac stiffness, hepatic and renal function in high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet-induced obese rats following supplementation of red pitaya juice.MethodsTotal 48 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: corn-starch group (CS), corn-starch + red pitaya juice group (CRP), high-carbohydrate, high fat group (HCHF) and high-carbohydrate, high fat + red pitaya juice (HRP). The intervention with 5% red pitaya juice was started for 8 weeks after 8 weeks initiation of the diet. Heart function was determined ex vivo with Langendorff hearts while plasma liver enzymes, uric acid and urea were measured using commercial kits. Total fat mass was determined with Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Glucose uptake was measured with Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Liver and cardiac structures were defined by histology.ResultsSupplementation of red pitaya juice for 8 weeks increased energy intake and abdominal circumference but no change in body fat and lean mass respectively. Also, there were a trend of uric acid and glucose normalization for HRP as compared to H-fed rats. Red pitaya juice treatment reduced ALP and ALT but caused significant increment in AST. Diastolic stiffness of the heart was reduced after supplementation of red pitaya juice in corn starch fed rats. However, the reduction was not significant in HRP rats in comparison with H rats.ConclusionThe present study concluded that red pitaya juice may serve as a complimentary therapy for attenuating some signs of metabolic syndrome.

Influence of Conventional and Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction on Phenolic Contents, Betacyanin Contents, and Antioxidant Capacity of Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

“…The identification of the fruit was done by a botanist from Biodiversity Unit, Institute of Biosciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The voucher number is SK-2440/14 as previously described in Ramli et al [ 17 ]. Dragon fruits were freshly harvested when reaching full ripening stage, 35–38 days after pollination, and immediately transported to the Nutritional Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia.…”

Effects and Mechanisms of Fruit and Vegetable Juices on Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Carotenoid concentration was low in purple carrot juice, so anthocyanins might be the main contributor of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to improve cardiovascular function. In the study of Ramli et al [94], it was demonstrated that consuming red pitaya juice could reduce diastolic stiffness of the heart in rats. Aditionally, blood pressure downregulation effect of Carica papaya fruit juice was examined in male albino Wistar rats [95].…”

Preventive effect of goby fish protein hydrolysates on hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease in Wistar rats fed a high-fat/fructose diet

“…8 Moreover, epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of high-fat and high fructose diets is correlated with high rates of overweight, central obesity and metabolic syndrome. [9][10][11] In addition, further studies have reported that the high fructose-rich diet are usually associated with cardiac alterations by inducing excessive body weight gain, hyperlipidemia, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress and even atherosclerosis. 12,13 Commonly, statins represent the most widely prescribed hypolipidemic drugs in the world, which is intended for reducing the cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.…”