Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res., 83 (1), 2013, 26 – 3526

Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 83 (1) © 2013 Hans Huber Publishers, Hogrefe AG, Bern DOI 10.1024/0300-9831/a000142

Original Communication

The Effects of Yerba Maté ( Ilex Paraguariensis )

Consumption on IL-1, IL-6, TNF- and IL-10 Production by

Bone Marrow Cells in Wistar Rats fed a High-Fat Diet

Luciana Simã~o do Carmo 1 , Marcelo Macedo Rogero 2 , Mayara Cortez 1 , Monica Yamada 2 , Patrícia Silva Jacob 2 , Deborah Helena Markowicz Bastos 2 ,

Primavera Borelli 1 , and Ricardo Ambrósio Fock 1 1 Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil

2 Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Received: July 3, 2012; Accepted: March 25, 2013

Abstract: An excessive consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) results in becoming overweight or obese, which triggers a chronic infl ammatory condition that is associated with a high white blood cell count. Because of the potential for yerba maté ( Ilex paraguariensis ) (YM) to impact obesity, this study aimed to investigate the effects of YM consumption on the hematological response and on the production of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-10 by bone marrow cells from Wistar rats fed a HFD. Male Wistar rats were fed a control (CON) or HFD diet for twelve weeks. At the end of this period, the rats received YM (1 g/kg/day body weight) for 4 weeks. After euthanasia, hemograms and myelograms were evaluated, while the bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the production of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10. The consump-tion of YM reduced the body weight, the body adiposity, and the cholesterol levels in HFD-fed rats. Bone marrow cells from the HFD group produced more IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α, and less IL-10, when compared to cells from the control group, and YM consumption reduced the IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α production by the cells. However, cells from the HFD rats that were stimulated with LPS increased their IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α production, but YM consumption did not change this result. In summary, the consumption of YM affects the production of IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α by bone marrow cells, promotes weight loss, decreases the number of white blood cells, and signifi cantly improves serum cholesterol