EFFECTS OF LYOPHILIZED MURICI (BYRSONIMA CRASSIFOLIA L. KUNTH) PULP SUPPLEMENTATION ON METABOLIC PARAMETERS, OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND BONE PROPERTIES IN RATS WITH HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED OBESITY

Abstract: Obesity is associated with metabolic dysregulation and oxidative stress, contributing to systemic complications. Native Brazilian fruits rich in bioactive compounds may represent promising nutritional strategies to modulate these alterations. Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia L. Kunth) has high antioxidant potential, but evidence regarding its effects in obesity remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of lyophilized murici pulp supplementation on metabolic parameters and redox balance in rats with diet-induced obesity. Forty male Wistar rats were allocated to a control standard diet group (CS, n=10) or a high-fat diet group (HFD, n=30) for eight weeks. HFD animals were subsequently subdivided into saline and murici-supplemented groups receiving 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Body composition, glucose metabolism, biochemical parameters, bone characteristics, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Compared with the CS group, HFD significantly increased body fat percentage (+82.7%), fat mass (+84.4%), adiposity index (+83.5%), serum insulin (+63.2%), insulin resistance index (+62.2%), and serum phosphorus (+26.2%), while reducing serum urea (−19.9%), creatinine (−29.3%), alanine aminotransferase (−28.8%), and bone elastic modulus (−23.2%) (p<0.05). Supplementation with 200 mg/kg/day of lyophilized murici pulp attenuated adiposity (−31.1% vs. HFD), restored serum insulin and insulin resistance index to values comparable to the CS group, and almost completely recovered bone elastic modulus (−0.8% vs. CS). Moreover, HFD200MU reduced serum protein carbonyls (−40.1% vs. HFD), serum FRAP (−36.6% vs. HFD), adipose tissue protein carbonyls (−23.3% vs. HFD; −38.2% vs. CS), adipose tissue TBARS (−32.0% vs. HFD; −49.7% vs. CS), and hepatic TBARS (−47.8% vs. CS) (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in body weight, body mass index, Lee index, fasting glucose, lipid profile, bone mineral density, bone mineral content, femoral radiodensity, or the remaining hepatic oxidative stress markers (p>0.05). These findings indicate that lyophilized murici pulp, particularly at 200 mg/kg/day, may attenuate metabolic and oxidative alterations induced by a high-fat diet, supporting its potential as a bioactive food source and contributing to the valorization of Brazilian biodiversity. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects. 

FUNDING 

FAPERJ – Programa de Apoio à Fixação de Jovens Doutores no Brasil, project entitled “Valorization of the Production Chain of Native and Exotic Fruits: Characterization of Bioactive Potential and Product Development.”