Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Tart Cherry Consumption in the Heart of Obese Rats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Obesity is a well-known condition responsible for being a risk factor for cardiovascular disease progression. The intake of bioactive phytochemicals, contained in red fruits, is attracting great attention since their benefits have been attributed mostly to their possible antioxidant properties. We aimed to assess the potential effects from the daily supplementation of tart cherries, both seeds and juice, in obese animals. Our results showed that tart cherries reduced oxidative stress and mitigated the inflammation in the hearts of obese rats. Indeed, we propose this fruit in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases related to obesity. ABSTRACT: Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, frequently related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Dietary antioxidant compounds improve heart health. Here, we estimate the oxidative grade and inflammation in the heart of dietary-induced obese (DIO) rats after exposure to a high-fat diet compared to a standard diet. The effects of tart cherry seed powder and seed powder plus tart cherries juice were explored. Morphological analysis and protein expressions were performed in the heart. The oxidative status was assessed by the measurement of protein oxidation and 4-hydroxynonenal in samples. Immunochemical and Western blot assays were performed to elucidate the involved inflammatory markers as proinflammatory cytokines and cellular adhesion molecules. In the obese rats, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was accompanied by an increase in oxidative state proteins and lipid peroxidation. However, the intake of tart cherries significantly changed these parameters. An anti-inflammatory effect was raised from tart cherry consumption, as shown by the downregulation of analyzed endothelial cell adhesion molecules and cytokines compared to controls. Tart cherry intake should be recommended as a dietary supplement to prevent or counteract heart injury in obese conditions.