Effects of Hexane Extract of Attalea phalerata Mart. ex Spreng. on Biochemical and Oxidative Parameters of Swiss Mice

Abstract

Attalea phalerata Mart. ex Spreng it is a palm tree typical of the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso, whose pulp oil is rich in carotenoids, mainly β-carotene, as well as fatty acids. The study evaluated the effect of administering hexane extract (oil) of A. phalerata on the metabolic and oxidative profile of animals. Twenty-one-day-old Swiss mice (n=31) were divided into three groups: Control group (C) received a diet for rodents AIN 93G; Vitamin-A Deficient group (VAD) received a diet AIN 93G without Vitamin A; and the A. phalerata oil group (AO) received a diet AIN 93G without vitamin A, and soybean oil was replaced by A. phalerata oil. At the end of 45 days, blood and tissues were collected for biochemical, metabolic, and oxidative analyses. The final body weight did not alter in mice. Blood glucose levels and the lipid profile were reduced in the VAD group and increased in the AO group versus the C group. On the other hand, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and the AST/ALT ratio were higher both in the VAD and AO groups. There was also a 23% reduction in perirenal adipose tissue in the VAD group compared to the C group. Hepatic glycogen levels were higher in the AO group than in the C and VAD groups. There was an increase greater than 100% in the carbonylated protein levels in the liver of the AO group versus the C and the VAD groups. The changes observed in the VAD group were attributed to vitamin A deficiency. The presence of A. phalerata oil in the diet altered biochemical parameters related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, resulting in increased serum glucose, lipid levels, and hepatic glycogen. The increased levels of carbonylated proteins in the liver indicate an increase in oxidative damage.