Abstract
Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a potential functional food containing anthocyanins and flavonols, as well as ellagitannins and phenolic acids. We have determined the potential therapeutic effects of Saskatoon berry in diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Nine- to ten-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Two groups were fed on control diets, either corn starch (C) or high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (H) respectively, for 16 weeks. Two further groups were fed on C or H diet for 16 weeks with Saskatoon berry powder added to the diet for the final 8 weeks (CSSK, HSSK). After 16 weeks, H rats showed symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including increased body weight, visceral adiposity, systolic blood pressure, cardiac fibrosis, plasma concentrations of triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids, and plasma activities of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Saskatoon berry intervention normalised body weight and adiposity, improved glucose tolerance, decreased systolic blood pressure, improved heart and liver structure and function with decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells, and decreased plasma total cholesterol. Further, Saskatoon berry normalised liver expression of hexokinase 1 and glycogen phosphorylase and increased glucose 6-phosphatase relative to H rats. These results suggest that Saskatoon berry regulates glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glycogenesis to improve metabolic syndrome.
Highlights
Saskatoon berry, Amelanchier alnifolia, is a fruit crop native to Canada that is adaptable to extreme cold conditions, high and low altitudes and a range of soil types [1]
We have reported that anthocyanins, especially cyanidin 3-glucoside from purple carrots [13], Queen Garnet plums [14], chokeberries and purple maize [15], attenuated or prevented the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the heart and liver, associated with improved organ function
We investigated the potential of Saskatoon berry to reverse signs of metabolic syndrome as measured by cardiovascular, liver and metabolic parameters and examined changes in glucose metabolism in rats fed a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet
Summary
Amelanchier alnifolia, is a fruit crop native to Canada that is adaptable to extreme cold conditions, high and low altitudes and a range of soil types [1]. Saskatoon berry is consumed as a raw fruit or used as a natural additive to pies, jellies, jams and syrups [1]. Saskatoon berry has found unique applications as a flavouring agent, decreasing the bitter and astringent attributes of natural remedies such as rooibos tea/vitamin D3 supplements and thereby enhancing acceptability of flavour [2]. In common with other bright-coloured berries, Saskatoon. Saskatoon berry contained anthocyanins such as cyanidin 3-galactoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and other cyanidin glycosides [8] as well as delphinidin 3-glucoside, malvidin
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