title: Relevance of a Hypersaline Sodium-Rich Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water to the Protection against Metabolic Syndrome Induction in Fructose-Fed Sprague-Dawley Rats: A Biochemical, Metabolic, and Redox Approach.
abstract: The Metabolic Syndrome increases the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Increased fructose consumption and/or mineral deficiency have been associated with Metabolic Syndrome development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8 weeks consumption of a hypersaline sodium-rich naturally sparkling mineral water on 10% fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats (Metabolic Syndrome animal model). The ingestion of the mineral water (rich in sodium bicarbonate and with higher potassium, calcium, and magnesium content than the tap water used as control) reduced/prevented not only the fructose-induced increase of heart rate, plasma triacylglycerols, insulin and leptin levels, hepatic catalase activity, and organ weight to body weight ratios (for liver and both kidneys) but also the decrease of hepatic glutathione peroxidase activity and oxidized glutathione content. This mineral-rich water seems to have potential to prevent Metabolic Syndrome induction by fructose. We hypothesize that its regular intake in the context of modern diets, which have a general acidic character interfering with mineral homeostasis and are poor in micronutrients, namely potassium, calcium, and magnesium, could add surplus value and attenuate imbalances, thus contributing to metabolic and redox health and, consequently, decreasing the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cidália Dionísio
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Severo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: João Ricardo
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal ; Department of Clinical Pathology, São João Hospital Centre, EPE, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: João Tiago
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Diogo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pestana
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: QOPNA, Mass Spectrometry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: CIAFEL, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ascensão
authors.affiliation: CIAFEL, Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rosário
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry (U38/FCT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Martins