Obesity-related inflammatory modulation by jucara berry (Euterpe edulis Mart.) supplementation in Brazilian adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Purpose Obesity is an inflammatory-related disease, which recruits immune system cells triggering to imbalanced production of cytokines. Obesity management and treatment using foods bioactive compounds have gained clinical and scientific relevance. Jucara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) fruit is rich in fibers, unsaturated lipids and, anthocyanins showing potential health benefits. Thus, we investigated the effect of jucara pulp intake on inflammatory status of monocytes from obese individuals. Methods It is a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind trial. Twenty-seven obese participants (BMI between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m(2)) of both genders from 31 to 59-year-old, divided into two groups: 5 g jucara freeze-dried pulp or 5 g of placebo for 6 weeks. Before and after supplementation, blood samples were collected and monocytes obtained and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. After 24 h of incubation, the cells and supernatants were analyzed. Results Post-treatment, jucara reduced TLR4, and IL-6 mRNA compared to placebo. Jucara also increased IL-10 mRNA in post-treatment. The protein expression of TLR4 pathway post-treatment, MYD88 expression reduced in jucara group compared to placebo. The jucara post-treatment reduced pIKK alpha/beta compared to the placebo. Ob-R protein levels were higher in the jucara group post-treatment compared to pre-treatment. IL-6, TNF-alpha, and MCP-1 production by monocytes were reduced by jucara in post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels. The supplementation increased IL-10 in jucara group with LPS compared to pre-treatment and versus jucara group without LPS. Conclusion These results demonstrated a proinflammatory state at the beginning, which was improved by jucara pulp consumption. Our results suggest jucara pulp as a potential tool against the proinflammatory status of obesity.