Anthocyanins in chokeberry and purple maize attenuate diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats

Abstract Objective Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as functional foods leads to the reduction of signs of metabolic syndrome. In this study, we have compared and measured cardiovascular, liver and metabolic parameters following chronic administration of the same dose of anthocyanins either from chokeberry (CB) or purple maize (PM) in rats with diet-induced metabolic syndrome. Research methods and procedures: Male Wistar rats were fed with cornstarch diet (C) or high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (H) diet and divided into six groups for 16 week feeding with C, C with CB or PM for last 8 weeks (CCB or CPM), H, H with CB or PM for last 8 weeks (HCB or HPM); CB and PM rats received ∼8 mg anthocyanins/kg/day. The rats were monitored for changes in blood pressure, cardiovascular and hepatic structure and function, glucose tolerance and adipose tissue mass. Results HCB and HPM rats showed reduced visceral adiposity index, total body fat mass and systolic blood pressure, improved glucose tolerance, liver and cardiovascular structure and function, decreased plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol compared to H rats. Inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced in heart and liver. Conclusion CB and PM interventions gave similar responses, suggesting that anthocyanins are the bioactive molecules in the attenuation or reversal of metabolic syndrome by prevention of inflammation-induced damage.