Applied Sciences (Feb 2020)

Biological Effects of <i>Paullinia cupana</i> (Guarana) in Combination with Whole-Body Vibration Exercise in Wistar Rats

  • André L.B.D. Cardoso,
  • Éric H.F.F. Frederico,
  • Carlos A.S. Guimarães,
  • Aline Reis-Silva,
  • Eliane de Oliveira Guedes-Aguiar,
  • Arlete Francisca Santos,
  • Márcia Cristina Moura-Fernandes,
  • Luiz Felipe Ferreira-Souza,
  • Tiago Eduardo-Santos,
  • Diego Eduardo-Santos,
  • Rubens Guimarães Mendonça,
  • Danúbia da Cunha de Sá-Caputo,
  • Laisa Liane Paineiras-Domingos,
  • Redha Taiar,
  • Nasser R. Asad,
  • Mario Bernardo-Filho

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/app10031104
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
p. 1104

Abstract

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In addition to its nutritional value, Paullinia cupana (guarana) is commonly used in traditional medicine, known for its stimulant and medicinal properties. This investigation evaluated the effects of a guarana extract in combination with whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises on Wistar rats. Rats (male, n = 20) were divided into the following four groups: control (CON), treated with guarana (GUA), submitted to 50 Hz of WBV (WBV-E), treated with guarana and submitted to 50 Hz of WBV (GUA + WBV-E), daily for 6-weeks. Guarana altered (p < 0.05) the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in muscle. Additionally, it modified the stool consistency, and in combination with WBV decreased the food intake without modifying body mass. The levels of calcium increased in the groups submitted to WBV exercises (WBV-E and GUA + WBV-E) as compared with the GUA group. The outcomes provide additional evidence of the biological effects of guarana separately or in combination with WBV and supports the use of guarana as a functional food.

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