A diet supplemented with husks of Plantago ovata reduces the development of endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and obesity by affecting adiponectin and TNF-alpha in obese Zucker rats.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze whether consumption of a fiber-supplemented diet containing 3.5% Plantago ovata husks prevented many of the abnormalities clustered in the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. For this purpose, obese Zucker rats, a model of type 2 diabetes, and their lean littermates were studied. Rats consumed a standard control diet or that diet supplemented with 3.5% P. ovata husks for 25 wk. Body weights were measured weekly. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured monthly. At the end of the treatment, plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, FFAs, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined, and studies on vascular function were performed using aortic rings. Rats fed the P. ovata husk-supplemented diet had a significantly reduced body weight gain compared with those fed the standard diet. Decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) by aortic rings from obese Zucker rats was improved in those fed the fiber-supplemented diet. The greater SBP, higher plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, FFA, glucose, insulin, and TNF-alpha, and the hypoadinectinemia that occurred in obese Zucker rats that consumed the control diet were significantly improved in those fed the fiber-supplemented diet. We conclude that intake of a P. ovata husk-supplemented diet prevents endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and obesity development, and ameliorates dyslipidemia and abnormal plasma concentrations of adiponectin and TNF-alpha in obese Zucker rats.

• Authors: Milagros Galisteo, Manuel Sánchez, Rocío Vera, Mercedes González, Anna Anguera, Juan Duarte, Antonio Zarzuelo
• Journal: The Journal of nutrition (J Nutr) Vol. 135 Issue 10 Pg. 2399-404 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0022-3166 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16177203 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adiponectin
• Lipids
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adiponectin (blood)
• Animals
• Blood Pressure
• Eating
• Endothelium, Vascular (physiology)
• Hypertension (blood, diet therapy)
• Insulin Resistance
• Lipids (blood)
• Male
• Metabolic Syndrome (blood, diet therapy)
• Obesity (blood, diet therapy)
• Organ Size
• Plantago
• Rats
• Rats, Zucker
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)
• Weight Gain