title: Euterpe oleracea (açai) modifies sterol metabolism and attenuates experimentally-induced atherosclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Euterpe Oleracea (açai) is a fruit from the Amazon region whose chemical composition may be beneficial for individuals with atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that consumption of Euterpe Oleracea would reduce atherosclerosis development by decreasing cholesterol absorption and synthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male New Zealand rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (0.5%) for 12 weeks, when they were randomized to receive Euterpe Oleracea extract (n = 15) or water (n = 12) plus a 0.05% cholesterol-enriched diet for an additional 12 weeks. Plasma phytosterols and desmosterol were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Atherosclerotic lesions were estimated by computerized planimetry and histomorphometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At sacrifice, animals treated with Euterpe Oleracea had lower levels of total cholesterol (p =0.03), non-HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) and triglycerides (p = 0.02) than controls. These animals had smaller atherosclerotic plaque area in their aortas (p = 0.001) and a smaller intima/media ratio (p = 0.002) than controls, without differences in plaque composition. At the end of the study, campesterol, β-sitosterol, and desmosterol plasma levels did not differ between groups; however, animals treated with Euterpe Oleracea showed lower desmosterol/campesterol (p = 0.026) and desmosterol/ β-sitosterol (p =0.006) ratios than controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of Euterpe Oleracea extract markedly improved the lipid profile and attenuated atherosclerosis. These effects were related in part to a better balance in the synthesis and absorption of sterols.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of Para, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Feio
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Izar
authors.forename: Silvia S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ihara
authors.forename: Soraia H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kasmas
authors.forename: Celma M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Max N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Feio
authors.forename: Luís A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Maués
authors.forename: Ney C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Ronilson A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Rui M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Póvoa
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003897:Desmosterol / Q000097:blood; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D010840:Phytosterols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012855:Sitosterols; D003897:Desmosterol; C021273:campesterol; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D002784:Cholesterol