Açaí seed extract (ASE) rich in proanthocyanidins improves cardiovascular remodeling by increasing antioxidant response in obese high-fat diet-fed mice.

Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is an important contributor to cardiac mortality. Açaí seed extract (ASE), rich in proanthocyanidins, has been shown to have potential anti-obesity effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of ASE in cardiovascular remodeling associated with obesity and compare it with that of rosuvastatin. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet or a standard diet for 12 weeks. The ASE (300 mg/kg/day) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) treatments started in the 8th week until the 12th week, totaling 4 weeks of treatment. Our data showed that treatment with ASE and rosuvastatin reduced body weight, ameliorated lipid profile, and improved cardiovascular remodeling. Treatment with ASE but not rosuvastatin reduced hyperglycemia and oxidative stress by reducing immunostaining of 8-isoprostane and increasing SOD-1 and GPx expression in HFD mice. ASE and rosuvastatin reduced NOX4 expression, increased SIRT-1 and Nrf2 expression and catalase and GPx activities, and improved vascular and cardiac remodeling in HFD mice. The therapeutic effect of ASE was similar to that of rosuvastatin in reducing dyslipidemia and cardiovascular remodeling but was superior in reducing oxidative damage and hyperglycemia, suggesting that ASE was a promising natural product for the treatment of cardiovascular alterations associated with obesity.