Entire potato consumption improves lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in cholesterol-fed rat.
BACKGROUND
Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of a variety of nutrients, including vitamins (E and C), trace minerals, and dietary fibers, and many other classes of biologically active compounds such as carotenoids and polyphenols, which are often assumed to protect against degenerative pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases. Although potato is considered as a starchy food, it is also included in the category of vegetables by its micronutrient content.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we investigated in the rat the effect of a potato-enriched diet on lipid metabolism and antioxidant protection.


RESULTS
Feeding rats a potato-enriched diet for 3 weeks led to a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma (respectively, -30%, P<0.0001 and -36%, P<0.05) and cholesterol level in liver (-42%, P<0.0001). Antioxidant status was also improved by potato consumption. TBARS levels in heart were decreased and vitamin E/triglycerides ratio in plasma was improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Our present results suggest that consumption of cooked potatoes (consumed with skin) may enhance antioxidant defense and improve the lipid metabolism. These effects could be interesting for prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments Institut National de Recherche Agronomique Centre de Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès Champanelle, France.
Laëtitia
L
Robert
Agnès
A
Narcy
Edmond
E
Rock
Christian
C
Demigne
Andrzej
A
Mazur
Christian
C
Rémésy
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000737:chemistry*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol