Polyphenol-rich black currant and cornelian cherry juices ameliorate metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet in Wistar rats

Marija Paunovic; Maja Milosevic; Olivera Mitrovic-Ajtic; Natasa Velickovic; Bojana Micic; Olgica Nedic; Vanja Todorovic; Vesna Vucic; Snjezana Petrovic

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27709

Polyphenol-rich black currant and cornelian cherry juices ameliorate metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet in Wistar rats

Heliyon. 2024 Mar 11;10(7):e27709. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27709. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.

Authors

Marija Paunovic¹, Maja Milosevic², Olivera Mitrovic-Ajtic³, Natasa Velickovic⁴, Bojana Micic⁴, Olgica Nedic⁵, Vanja Todorovic⁶, Vesna Vucic¹, Snjezana Petrovic¹

Affiliations

¹ Group for Nutritional Biochemistry and Dietology, Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
² Group for Neuroendocrinology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
³ Group for Molecular Oncology, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁵ Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP), University of Belgrade, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia.
⁶ Department of Bromatology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Pharmacy, 11221, Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

Diets high in fat and sugar lead to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related chronic diseases. We investigated the effects of commercially available, cold-pressed polyphenol-rich black currant (BC) and cornelian cherry (CC) juices on the prevention of MetS in Wistar rats induced by a 10-weeks high-fat high-fructose (HFF) diet. Juice consumption, either BC or CC, with a HFF diet resulted in lower serum triglycerides compared to only the HFF consumption. Both juices also mitigated the effects of HFF on the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue, by preserving liver and pancreas histomorphology and reducing visceral fat and adipocyte size. Furthermore, supplementation with both juices reduced glucagon and up-regulated insulin expression in the pancreas of the rats on the HFF diet, whereas the BC also showed improved glucose regulation. BC juice also reduced the expression of IL-6 and hepatic inflammation compared to the group only on HFF diet. Both juices, especially BC, could be a convenient solution for the prevention of MetS in humans.

Keywords: Animal model; Black currant; Cornelian cherry; High-fat high-fructose diet; Metabolic syndrome; Polyphenol-rich juices.