Physiological influence of chokeberry phenolics in model diet

Abstract

Seven groups of Wistar rats (8 males in each) were fed for 4 weeks diets with chokeberry products. Chokeberry juice was added every day to diets at a dose of 1.5, 3 and 6 ml per rat (corresponding to the intake of about 0.5, 1 and 2 l of juice by an adult person) or diets were supplemented with polyphenolics extract to reach the same level of phenolics. The addition of juice or extract did not affect food intake and body gain. Chokeberry juice increased stomach pH from 3.44 (control group) to 3.69–3.85, and ileal pH from 6.16 to 6.23–6.46. Alkalisation of digesta was less distinct with diets containing polyphenolics extract. Both chokeberry products decreased the concentration of caecal ammonia, especially at medium and high doses. The highest dose of chokeberry juice increased microbial α-glucosidase, decreased β-glucosidase and had no effect on β-glucuronidase activities in the caecal digesta. To compare with the control group, the highest dose of chokeberry juice and extract numerically decreased triglycerides (from 265 to 211 and 219 mg dl –1 , respectively) and significantly decreased total cholesterol level in the serum (from 133 to 118 and 114 mg dl –1 , respectively) and increased content of butyrate in short-chain fatty acids sum of caecal digesta. Indices of the antioxidant status of rats were similar in all treatments. Physiological results of applying relatively low amount of phenolic extract in the diet were similar as when applying high doses of chokeberry juice.