Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of related metabolic alterations that increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several lifestyle interventions based on dietary treatment with functional ingredients and physical activity are being studied as alternative or reinforcement treatments to the pharmacological ones actually in use. In the present experiment, the combined treatment with mung bean (Vigna radiata), a widely used legume with promising nutritional and health benefits that was included in the experimental diet as raw or 4 day-germinated seed flour, and aerobic interval training protocol (65–85% VO2 max) has been tested in lean and obese Zucker rats following a 2 × 2 × 2 (2 phenotypes, 2 dietary interventions, 2 lifestyles) factorial ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) statistical analysis. Germination of V. radiata over a period of four days originated a significant protein hydrolysis leading to the appearance of low molecular weight peptides. The combination of 4 day-germinated V. radiata and aerobic interval training was more efficient compared to raw V. radiata at improving the aerobic capacity and physical performance, hepatic histology and functionality, and plasma lipid parameters as well as reverting the insulin resistance characteristic of the obese Zucker rat model. In conclusion, the joint intervention with legume sprouts and aerobic interval training protocol is an efficient treatment to improve the alterations of glucose and lipid metabolism as well as hepatic histology and functionality related to the development of NAFLD and the MetS.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic alterations characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated plasma glucose, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state [1]
We have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of an aerobic interval training (AIT) protocol on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance and other features related to the development of MetS in the obese Zucker rat model [6]
The aim of this study was to assess the effects on glucose and lipid metabolism parameters, as well as on liver histology and functionality, exhibited by a novel joint intervention combining the consumption of 4 day-germinated V. radiata as dietary source of bioactive compounds and hydrolyzed protein obtained using natural methods, together with an AIT protocol
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic alterations characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated plasma glucose, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state [1]. Patients with MetS are more susceptible to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus and suffer increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Their hepatic morphology and functionality can be adversely affected leading to the development of Non Alcoholic. Hepatic morphology and functionality in NAFLD is adversely affected and can be categorized in four different stages starting from a simple steatosis (liver fat deposition and mild inflammation), the development of Non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that includes steatosis plus inflammation and hepatocyte “ballooning”, the appearance of fibrosis and, in some cases, can lead to the last stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [4]. The exact mechanisms leading to NAFLD are not yet completely understood, insulin resistance, hormones secreted from the adipose tissue, nutritional factors, gut microbiota and genetic and epigenetic factors have been described to play a major role [5]
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