Effect of citrus bergamia (ENDOBERG®) on cardiovascular risk parameters of rats fed with a high-sugar fat diet

Background and Aims: A diet rich in sugar and fat (HSF) can increase obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Citrus plants have anti-inflammatory potential and may act on cardiovascular risk parameters. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of EndoBerg® on cardiovascular risk parameters of rats fed with a high-sugar fat diet. Methods: 48 Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (G). G1: control diet(C); G2: C+EndoBerg®; G3: HSF; and G4: HSF+EndoBerg®; and received gavage (250mg/Kg/day) for 20 weeks. The biochemical parameters (total-cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, blood-glucose); and the cardiac oxidative stress(COS), by MDA and protein carbonylation, were evaluated by UV-vis-Spectrophotometry. The adiposity index(AI) was measured. Cardiac structure: diastolic-posterior-wall-thickness(PWT), diastolic-thickness-of-interventricular-septum(IST), left-ventricular-mass-index(LVMI); systolic function: PWSV(posterior-wall-shortening-velocity), EF(ejection fraction); and diastolic function: E/E’ratio, and E/A’ratio, were evaluated by Doppler Echocardiography. Systolic blood pressure(SBP) was evaluated by tail-cuff-plethysmography. The data were compared by two-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc(p<5%). Results: The HSF groups, compared to the C groups, had negative alterations on the biochemical parameters(Table 1); higher AI(Figure 1), COS(Figure 2-A,B), SBP(Figure 3), and had cardiac remodeling and dysfunction(Table 2). EndoBerg® attenuated SBP(Figure 3) and prevented COS(Figure 2-A,B), cardiac remodeling and dysfunction(Table 2).View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) Conclusions: Even not controlling the biochemical alterations resulting from obesity and the high-sugar fat diet, EndoBerg® attenuated blood pressure and prevented cardiac oxidative stress and the development of cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. These data suggest that EndoBerg® has a direct action on the cardiac tissue and may help to promote cardiovascular health. More studies are needed to identify the mechanisms of this action.