Impact of lingonberry supplementation on high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia

Citation

Madduma Hewage, S., Sid, V., Prashar, S., Shang, Y., O, K. and Siow, Y.L. (2018) Impact of lingonberry supplementation on high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidemia. XVIII International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, June 9-12, 2018. Atherosclerosis Suppl 32:65. P1.103. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosissup.2018.04.196

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Excessive dietary fat intake can cause hyperlipidemia, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nutritional regulation is emerging as an alternative strategy for prevention of CVD. High anthocyanin-containing lingonberry is an evergreen shrub that grows in northern regions of North America and Europe. Our previous study reported that Manitoba lingonberry extract could protect cardiomyocytes against ischemia-reperfusion induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the impact of lingonberry supplementation on attenuating CVD risk induced by chronic consumption of high-fat diet.

Methods: Mice (C57BL/6J) were fed for 12 weeks a control diet (10% kcal fat), a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat), or a high-fat diet supplemented with lingonberry extract. Liver function was assessed by measuring plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Liver histology was examined by hemotoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil-Red-O staining. The cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the plasma and liver were determined by using commercial kits.

Results: High-fat diet feeding for 12 weeks caused a significant body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation (fatty liver) and increased plasma lipid levels (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol). The phenotype developed in high-fat diet fed mice resembled metabolic syndrome that could increase CVD risk. Mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with lingonberry extract displayed improved histological integrity of the liver, less hepatic lipid accumulation, decreased levels of lipids, ALT and AST in the plasma.

Conclusion: Chronic consumption of high-fat diet induces metabolic syndrome like phenotype in a mouse model. Dietary supplementation of lingonberry extract can improve lipid profiles, which may account for the protective effect of dietary berry compounds for cardiovascular disease.

Publication date

2018-06-09

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