The influence of Wasabi (Wasabia Japonica) on diet-induced metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats

Rationale: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has reached a prevalence of ∼24% worldwide. Plant sourced foods such as wasabi have been shown to be effective therapeutic agents in inflammation, obesity and chronic diseases. The present study aims to investigate the influence of Wasabia japonica on the body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid profile of Wistar rats with high-fat high carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-induced MetS. Methods: Rats were fed either a corn starch (CS) or high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet for 8 weeks. After this period, CS (n = 12/group) and HFHC rats (n = 12/group) were treated with 5% of Wasabia japonica for 8 weeks. Animals had adlibitum access to food and water. Metabolic parameters including systolic blood pressure (SBP), basal blood glucose, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and plasma lipid analysis were measured during and after the 8-week protocol. Results: CS rats showed less fat mass and basal blood glucose levels compared to the control rats, whereas rats fed with 5% of wasabi in HFHC diet decreased approximately 10% of systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). However, both CS and HFHC groups had no significant difference in abdominal circumference and lipid profile. Conclusion: This 8-week trial suggests that wasabi exerted an ameliorative effect in some parameters of MetS such as hypertension, glycaemia and obesity, which might be attributable to lipolytic effects of wasabi in adipose tissues. These findings suggest that Wasabia japonica has potential applications as an additional therapy to the conventional approaches provided to individuals with MetS