Effect of the intake of liquids rich in polyphenols on blood pressure and fat liver deposition in rats submitted to high-fat diet.

INTRODUCTION Seeking better quality of life, the number of studies on functional foods and disease prevention is growing fast. Whole red grape juice (WRGJ) and red wine (RW) stand out, which are rich in polyphenols, showing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of WRGJ and RW intake and resveratrol solution (RS) on blood pressure and fat liver deposition of rats fed with high-fat diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS During 60 days, 50 Rattus norvegicus Wistar Albino adults were divided into: control group (CG)--balanced diet, hyperlipidic group (HG), red wine group (RWG), grape juice group (JGG) and resveratrol group (RG)--hyperlipidic diet. Feed and water were offered ad libttum to all groups. WRGJ, RW and RS were offered daily to JG, WG and RG, respectively. Blood pressure was measured using tail plestimograph. The animals were anesthetized, sacrificed and the liver was removed, weighed and fat was extracted using Soxhlet extractor. RESULTS No difference in weight gain, feed intake, liver weight and diastolic blood pressure among groups was observed. However, systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and liver fat concentration (g%) were lower (p<0.05) in JGG than in HG, WG and RG, but similar to CG. CONCLUSIONS The daily consumption of WRGJ minimizes the effects of high-fat diet on systolic blood pressure and prevents nonalcoholic fatty infiltration in the liver of animals, which was not observed in the consumption of RW or resveratrol solution.