EFFECTS OF JUÇARA (Euterpe edulis) PULP SUPPLEMENTATION ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND BIOMARKERS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN WISTAR RATS

The development of diseases related to oxidative stress has been associated with diet poor in fruit consumption. Juçara (Euterpe edulis) is an açaí species found in Atlantic Forest biome, rich in bioactive compounds (BC), which can protect against non-communicable diseases. We aimed to evaluate effects of juçara pulp supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in rats. Forty rats aged 90 days were subdivided: Control (C,n=10), açaí juçara 50mg/kg/day (50AJU,n=10), açaí juçara 100mg/kg/day (100AJU,n=10), and açaí juçara 200mg/kg/day (200AJU,n=10), gavaged for 30 days. After treatment, biochemical parameters (BioClin Analyzer), serum antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP and ORAC) and oxidative stress (FOX, carbonyl protein, TIOL, SOD, and CAT) were assessed. 50AJU, 100AJU and 200AJU showed lower aspartate aminotransferase (-29%, -31% and -47% vs C, p<0.05). 100AJU and 200AJU presented lower uric acid (-25% and -31% vs C, p<0.05). 200AJU exhibited lower fasting glycemia (-11%), urea (-10%), creatinine (-15%) and alanine aminotransferase (-20%) vs C (p<0.05). Using the DPPH, FRAP and ORAC methods, 100AJU showed an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity vs C (+20%, +24% and +45%, respectively; p<0.05). 200AJU presented increase in serum antioxidant capacity vs C (ORAC) (+53%, p<0.05). 100AJU showed lower FOX (-2%) and higher catalase (+28%), SOD (+18%), Thiol (1.56-fold increase) vs C (p<0.05). 200AJU reduced FOX (-3%) and protein carbonil (-32%), with higher Thiol (+95%) vs C (p<0.05). 100AJU showed lower FOX (-2%, p<0.05) and higher catalase (+28%), SOD (+18%), and thiol (1.56-fold increase) vs C (p<0.05). 200AJU showed lower FOX (-3%) and protein carbonyl (-32%) and higher thiol (+95%) vs C (p<0.05). Juçara is rich in antioxidant compounds, particularly anthocyanins, which may have beneficial effects on reduction oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, our results indicates that juçara can be considered a promising source of BC by inhibiting oxidative damage and protect agains diseases related to oxidative stress.