Abstract
Chaya is an edible leaf popular in Mexico and Central America because of its high nutritional value. Studies in animal models have demonstrated the beneficial effects of Chaya, which include reduction of circulating lipids and increase in antioxidant activity. However, its hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects have not been demonstrated in humans. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Chaya on the lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell gene expression in a population with dyslipidemia. We performed a single-arm trial in 30 participants with dyslipidemia who consumed 500 mL of Chaya beverage per day over a 6-week period. Interestingly, we observed a significant decrease in serum triglyceride concentration (P < 0.05) and an increase in plasma antioxidant activity and polyphenol concentration (P < 0.005) after 6 weeks of Chaya consumption. This was accompanied by a reduction in the oxidative stress marker MDA (P < 0.0001) and by an increase in the antioxidant enzyme CAT expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < 0.001). Altogether, our results demonstrate that consumption of Chaya has hypotriglyceridemic and antioxidant effects in subjects with dyslipidemia.
Highlights
Dyslipidemia is characterized by abnormal lipid profiles that include increased levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and/or decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
The High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile obtained showed a pattern with two peaks that represented the quercetin and kaempferol present in Chaya (Figure 2)
The subjects with dyslipidemia included in this study showed lipid alterations in TG (208 mg/dL; 95% 95% confidence intervals (CI), 114–301) and LDLC (121 mg/dL; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 72.7–200)
Summary
Dyslipidemia is characterized by abnormal lipid profiles that include increased levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and/or decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT | Effect of Chaya leaf on triglycerides, antioxidant activity and oxidative markers in subjects with dyslipidemia Such as proteins, DNA, and lipids (lipoperoxidation). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an end product of lipoperoxidation, which increases the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins and C-reactive protein (CRP) to establish a proatherogenic environment that results in endothelial dysfunction [2]. These complications occurring in the context of dyslipidemia are due in part to a decrease in the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which enhances OS [3]
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