THE CONSUMPTION OF ACAI PULP CHANGES THE CONCENTRATIONS OF PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1 AND EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR (EGF) IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY WOMEN.

INTRODUCTION: obesity, characterized by adiposity excess, is associated with endothelial dysfunction and possible inflammatory state with release of cytokines that determine endothelial function and can trigger chronic diseases. The dietary pattern are associated with the synthesis these cytokines. Fruits as the acai, which is rich in flavonoids, have a direct and beneficial effect on the control of this inflammatory process through the exercised antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of acai pulp consumption on the inflammatory markers, anthropometric measurements, body composition, biochemical and dietary parameters in healthy women.

METHODS: forty women, were divided in 25 eutrophic and 15 with overweight. They intaked 200 g of acai pulp during 4 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, inflammatory markers, biochemical data, dietary intake and dietary antioxidants capacity were evaluated before and after the intervention.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: after the intervention, there was significant increase of EGF (p = 0.021) and PAI- 1(p = 0.011) in overweight women. Moreover, there was increase in body weight (p = 0.031), body mass index (p = 0.028), percentage of truncal fat (p = 0.003) and triceps skinfold thickness (p = 0.046) in eutrophic women. However, the skinfold thickness (p = 0.018) and total body fat (p = 0.016) decreased in overweight women. There was reduction of total protein (p = 0.049) due to the globulin reduction (p = 0.005), but the nutritional status was maintained in eutrophic group.

CONCLUSION: the intake of 200g acai pulp, modulated the EGF and PAI-1 expression, possibly by modulation of acai on the parameters of body composition, dietary, clinical, biochemical and inflammatory, led to a redistribution and resizing of body fat of the trunk area, and presumably increased visceral fat.