Consumption of “Cerrado” Cashew Pulp Affects Physiological Parameters and Gene Expression in Obese C57BL/6J High Fat-Fed Mice

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The pseudofruits of A. othonianum Rizz., the “Cerrado” cashew, are a good source of vitamin C; high in phenolic compounds; contain flavonoids such as vitexin and hesperindin, anthocyanins such as cyanindin, delphinidin, pelargonidin and peonidin; and high antioxidant activity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the beneficial health effects observed with the addition of “Cerrado” cashew pulp to an obesogenic diet in male C57BL/6J mice. Methods Groups of C57BL/6J mice were provided low-fat diet (LF,10% kcal fat), high-fat diet (HF, 45% kcal fat), or HF plus “Cerrado” cashew pulp (HF + CP, 2% of total kcal) during the 10-week feeding period. Mice were housed four per cage in a room maintained at a constant temperature (22 ± 2°C) with a 12-hour light/dark cycle and given free access to food and distilled water. Body weights, food intake, and fasting glucose were determined. At the end of study mice were euthanized via cervical dislocation. Physiological parameters were measured during the study and post-mortem, serum and tissue parameters were measured, along with analysis of hepatic gene expression via Clarium gene arrays. Results At the end of week 10, body weights for LF-fed mice were lower than mice fed HF and HF + CP (P < 0.05). Body weights, food efficiencies, and serum MCP-1 concentrations were not different between the HF- and HF + CP-fed groups. At week 9, HF-fed mice had significantly higher baseline glucose concentrations vs. the LF-fed group (P < 0.05). The HF + CP-fed group had an intermediate serum glucose level that was not different than the LF-fed mice. In RNA-Sequencing analysis, 4669 genes were identified. Canonical pathways most regulated with CP intake included Complement Activation, MAPK signaling, Nuclear Hormone Receptor Activation, and PPAR Signaling. Conclusions The intake of “Cerrado” cashew together with the obesogenic diet improved baseline glucose concentrations compared to HF-fed mice. Analysis of hepatic gene expression shows a number of metabolic pathways influenced by CP intake, including cell signaling and nuclear hormone activation. Funding Sources National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq and IF Goiano, Brazil.