Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a progressive metabolic disease that is increasing in prevalence globally. It is well established that insulin resistance (IR) and a progressive decline in functional β-cell mass are hallmarks of developing T2D. Obesity is a leading pathogenic factor for developing IR. Constant IR will progress to T2D when β-cells are unable to secret adequate amounts of insulin to compensate for decreased insulin sensitivity. Recently, a considerable amount of research has been devoted to identifying naturally occurring anti-diabetic compounds that are abundant in certain types of foods. Flavonoids are a group of polyphenols that have drawn great interest for their various health benefits. Results from many clinical and animal studies demonstrate that dietary intake of flavonoids might be helpful in preventing T2D, although cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are still not completely understood. This review discusses our current understanding of the pathophysiology of T2D and highlights the potential anti-diabetic effects of flavonoids and mechanisms of their actions.
Highlights
The prevalence of diabetes is rapidly rising
insulin resistance (IR) in the liver can result in excessive hepatic glucose production because of increased gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, which make a significant contribution to fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia, the hallmarks of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) [50,51,52]
T2D is a progressive metabolic disorder that is increasing in prevalence globally and is a significant healthcare burden
Summary
The prevalence of diabetes is rapidly rising. In 2012, 9.3% of the US population was diabetic [1], and this number is expected to double by 2050 [2]. The cost of treating diabetes and its complications is an increasing economic burden [3]. It is well recognized that insulin resistance (IR), defects in insulin action, and impaired β-cell function are key features in T2D [10]. Subjects with IR will progress to overt diabetes if β-cells fail to secrete adequate amounts of insulin to compensate for the defects in its action [11]. Β-cell failure plays a central role in the development T2D. Hyperglycemia increases glucose metabolism, which can lead to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that will impair cell function and survival [14]. The type and starting time of treatment upon diagnosis was associated with the risk of developing the complications [17,19]. This review will compile recent information from experimental studies, epidemiological observations, and clinical trials on the effects of flavonoids on T2D and the mechanisms of their actions
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