Combined action of acai and aerobic exercise training on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet: a preliminary exploration

Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic condition that comprises a spectrum of liver diseases. Non-pharmacological treatments such as functional food consumption and aerobic exercise training (AET) have been recommended. Objective To evaluate the combined effects of acai pulp consumption and AET on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet. Methods Male Fischer rats received either standard or high-fat diet. Animals (21.8% lard and 1% cholesterol) were treated with lyophilized acai pulp (1%), AET or acai plus AET for 8 weeks. Exercise capacity, body fat, serum metabolites (triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein) and enzymes (lipase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase), liver macrovesicular steatosis and liver lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-TBARS) were evaluated. Results Acai consumption reduced the levels of serum total cholesterol (p = 0.0185). AET with or without acai consumption increased the exercise capacity (p = 0.0097) and reduced body fat (p = 0.0001) similarly. Both AET and acai consumption individually reduced the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.0103) and TBARS (p = 0.0014). AET with or without acai consumption reduced the degree of macrovesicular steatosis (p < 0.0001) likewise. Conclusions Acai consumption or AET protect against increases in serum metabolite (total cholesterol) and enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase) and liver lipid peroxidation (TBARS), whereas AET prevents increases in the degree of macrovesicular steatosis in this model of NAFLD induced by high-fat diet in rats. The combination of treatments, nevertheless, does not provide additional effects.

Automated summary

The study found that acai consumption reduced serum total cholesterol levels, while AET increased exercise capacity and decreased body fat. Both AET and acai consumption reduced the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase and TBARS, and also decreased the degree of macrovesicular steatosis. However, the combination of acai consumption and AET did not have additional effects on the development of NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in rats.