A Diet Based on Mesquite Seed Improves Atherogenic Index in Mouse Model

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The main objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of a diet rich in antioxidants based on mesquite seed on the atherogenic index of the dislipidemia-prone C57BL/6J mouse. Methods Mesquite seed based diet with 18% of protein was prepared using flour of mesquite seed, corn and micronutrient mix. Additionally, a diet based on casein with 18% of protein was preparing using casein, corn flour, wheat bran and micronutrient mix. Both diets were processed by extrusion. Extruded diets were analyzed for proximal composition, flavonoids content (HPLC) and radical scavenging capacity. For mice biological assay development, a bioethically approved protocol was used. Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were used. One group of mice (n = 6) was fed a diet based on mesquite seed and a second group (n = 6) was fed a diet based on casein from week 4 to week 18 of life. Mice were maintained with free access to food and water. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were taken for the determination of total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) using dry-chemistry enzymatic slide technology. The atherogenic index (AI) was calculated using the formula: AI = TC (mg/dL)/HDL-c (mg/dL). Results The caloric content of the diet based on mesquite seed and the diet based on casein were 373.1 and 365.1 kcal/100g, respectively. The energy intake of mice treated with mesquite and casein diet were 13.43 and 13.51 kcal/day, respectively. The phenolic compounds intake of mice treated with mesquite and casein diet were 8.3 and 1.9 mg/day, respectively. The atherogenic index in mice treated with a diet based on mesquite seed was 2.25 and for the mice treated with a diet based on casein was 3.31. Conclusions After 14 weeks of a diet based on mesquite seed C57BL/6J mice presented significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and atherogenic index than mice treated with a diet based on casein. Diet based on mesquite seed lead to higher intakes of phenolic compounds and antioxidants than a diet based on casein. The C57BL/6J mouse is a nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase deficient model, which induces oxidative stress and insulin resistance. This condition increases the susceptibility to develops dyslipidemia, diabetes and obesity. A diet based on mesquite seed prevents dyslipidemia development in C57BL/6J. Funding Sources No funding.