Hypolipidemic effects of beetroot juice in SHR-CRP and HHTg rat models of metabolic syndrome: Analysis of hepatic proteome.

Recently, red beetroot has attracted attention as a health promoting functional food. Studies showed that beetroot administration can reduce blood pressure and ameliorate parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism, however, mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects of beetroot are not fully understood. In the current study, we analyzed effects of beetroot on parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in two models of metabolic syndrome, (i) transgenic spontaneously hypertensive rats expressing human C-reactive protein (SHR-CRP rats), and (ii) hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HHTg) rats. Treatment with beetroot juice for 4 weeks was in both models associated with amelioration of oxidative stress, reduced circulating lipids, smaller visceral fat depots, and lower ectopic fat accumulation in the liver, compared to their respective untreated controls. On the other hand, beetroot treatment had no significant effects on sensitivity of muscle and adipose tissue to insulin action in both models. Analyses of hepatic proteome revealed significantly deregulated proteins involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, mTOR signalling, inflammation, and cytoskeleton rearrangement.