Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) supplementation improves oxidative stress biomarkers in liver tissue of dams fed a high-fat diet and increases antioxidant enzymes' gene expression in offspring.

Lipids excess from an uterine environment can increase free radicals production of and thus induce oxidative status imbalance, a key factor for progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in offspring. Food antioxidant components in maternal diet may play an important role in preventing offspring metabolic disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of açaí pulp supplementation on maternal high-fat diet, by assessing activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of oxidative stress in the liver. Female Fisher rats were divided into four groups and fed a control diet (C), a high-fat diet (HF), a control diet supplemented with açaí (CA) and a high-fat diet supplemented with açaí (HFA) before mating, during gestation and lactation. The effects of açaí supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes expression were evaluated in dams and male offspring after weaning. HFA diet increased body weight in dams, however reduced absolute and relative liver weight. There was a reduction in liver biomarkers of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein, as well as in catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. In offspring, HFA diet reduced liver weight and increased Gpx1, Gpx4 and Sod1 mRNA expression. These results suggest that açaí is able to restore redox status, preventing oxidative damage in dams by a direct mechanism and to promote beneficial effects on expression of antioxidant defences related genes in offspring. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that açaí pulp supplementation to maternal high-fat diet may protect offspring from oxidative stress. These results showed a reduction in biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidants enzymes in dams. There was an increase in Gpx1, Gpx4 and Sod1 mRNA expression in offspring. Açaí pulp supplementation to maternal diet induced protection through modulation of oxidative stress by a direct mechanism in dams and may promote beneficial effects on antioxidant defences in offspring. [Display omitted] • Supplementation of açaí pulp to a maternal high fat diet prevents oxidative damage in dams and improves offspring antioxidant defences. • Supplementation of high fat diet with açaí reduces liver oxidative stress biomarkers. • Açaí supplementation to high fat diet reduces liver CAT, GPX, SOD activity in dams. • Açaí supplementation to maternal high fat diet reduces liver weight in offspring. • Maternal açaí supplemented high fat diet increases offspring liver Gpx1 , Gpx4, Sod1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]