Intake of Acrocomia aculeata Reduces Body Weight Gain and Increases Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in the Kidneys of Wistar Rats

Abstract

Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. is a common palm tree in Cerrado and Pantanal. The pulp of this fruit is rich in carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and bioactive compounds such as xanthine, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and tocopherol. This study aimed to evaluate (body and plasma) the murinometric and biochemical parameters and the enzymatic antioxidant system in the kidney of Wistar rats. The experimental protocol was approved by the ethics committee (n. 23108.013689/2019-58). Male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing approximately 200 g (8 weeks old), were fed A. aculeata pulp for 28 days. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: Control Group (received a vehicle dose) and 250AAc Group (received 250 mg/kg of A. aculeata). The animals had access to water and Labina® food ad libitum. The 250 mg/kg AAc group had a reduction in body weight gain (28%) and lower water intake. In addition, they had an 18% reduction in urinary urea without changing the daily and total urinary flow. There was an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity in the kidneys of the 250 mg/kg AAc group. These data suggest that Acrocomia aculeata altered murinometric parameters related to body weight gain and water intake, with a consequent reduction in urea levels, possibly caused by the diuretic effect of the fruit. It improved oxidative parameters, evidenced by the increase in the glutathione peroxidase activity of antioxidant enzymes, reducing oxidative stress.