Camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) improves glycemic and lipid parameters in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet

Excessive consumption of diets rich in sugars and fats is associated with the development of metabolic alterations, including dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and increased adipose tissue accumulation. In this context, bioactive compounds present in functional foods, such as camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), have been investigated due to their potential modulatory effects on metabolic parameters. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of camu-camu consumption on metabolic alterations induced by a high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) diet in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were divided into three experimental groups (n = 9): AIN-93M (control), HFHF, and HFHF added camu-camu (HFCC). During the 6-week treatment period, parameters related to food, caloric, and polyphenol intake, final body weight, adipose tissue percentage, blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and intergroup differences were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. This project was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (CEUA/UFV), under protocol number 10/2023. Animals in the HFHF and HFCC groups showed lower total food intake compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, both groups exhibited higher total caloric intake compared to control (p < 0.05), reflecting the high energy density of the HFHF diet. Total polyphenol intake averaged 170.92 ± 15.22 per animal. No significant differences were observed in final body weight among the groups (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the HFHF and HFCC groups showed a higher percentage of adipose tissue compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding biochemical parameters, the HFHF group exhibited significantly increased blood glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels compared to the AIN-93M group (p < 0.05). In contrast, animals that received camu-camu showed significant reductions in these parameters compared to the HFHF group (p < 0.05), demonstrating beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. These results suggest that, although camu-camu did not promote changes in body weight, it exerted an important modulatory effect on metabolic markers associated with the HFHF diet. The improvements observed in glycemic and lipid parameters may be related to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of the phenolic compounds present in camu-camu. In conclusion, camu-camu showed therapeutic potential in attenuating metabolic alterations induced by a high-fat, high-fructose diet, particularly by contributing to improvements in glycemic and lipid profiles.
Acknowledgments: CAPES (001) and FAPEMIG (APQ-01202-24).