Proanthocyanidins Limit Adipose Accrual Induced by a Cafeteria Diet, Several Weeks after the End of the Treatment.

Iris Ginés,Anna Ardévol,Katherine Gil-Cardoso,Ximena Terra,Montserrat Pinent,Maria Lobato,Joan Serrano,Àngela Casanova-Marti,M Teresa Blay

doi:10.3390/genes10080598

Abstract

A dose of proanthocyanidins with satiating properties proved to be able to limit body weight increase several weeks after administration under exposure to a cafeteria diet. Here we describe some of the molecular targets and the duration of the effects. We treated rats with 500 mg grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE)/kg BW for ten days. Seven or seventeen weeks after the last GSPE dose, while animals were on a cafeteria diet, we used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure the mRNA of the key energy metabolism enzymes from the liver, adipose depots and muscle. We found that a reduction in the expression of adipose Lpl might explain the lower amount of adipose tissue in rats seven weeks after the last GSPE dose. The liver showed increased expression of Cpt1a and Hmgs2 together with a reduction in Fasn and Dgat2. In addition, muscle showed a higher fatty oxidation (Oxct1 and Cpt1b mRNA). However, after seventeen weeks, there was a completely different gene expression pattern. At the conclusion of the study, seven weeks after the last GSPE administration there was a limitation in adipose accrual that might be mediated by an inhibition of the gene expression of the adipose tissue Lpl. Concomitantly there was an increase in fatty acid oxidation in liver and muscle.

Highlights

Excessive adipose tissue significantly increases the risk and prognosis of metabolic syndrome and several types of cancer [1]
The white column indicates animals treated with 0.5 g/Kg BW of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) for the first 10 days of treatment
The results showed the mean data obtained from each measurement throughout the period. (a) Mean food intake from the daily measurement for the first ten days of treatment with a tasty diet. (b) Mean food intake from measurements taken during the eighteen days of treatment with a chow diet. (c) Mean food intake from measurements during the thirty-five days with a cafeteria diet

Summary

Introduction

Excessive adipose tissue significantly increases the risk and prognosis of metabolic syndrome (diabetes mellitus type 2, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) and several types of cancer [1]. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a group of polyphenols that are widespread in nature (in fruits, vegetables and their beverage products) They have been described as bioactive agents against several unhealthy situations. PACs favour a lower respiratory quotient (RQ) [6,7], due to higher fat oxidation in liver and muscle [6]. As they are a group of different compounds, some of the effects could be explained by their interaction with molecules or structures located in the gastrointestinal lumen [6,8]. The absorbable low-molecular weight flavanols reach intracellular targets inside the body, where they act on different molecular targets to induce increased energy expenditure [3], and prevent cholesterol increase in the organism [10], acting as antihipertensives [10] and antioxidants [11], and maintaining glucose homeostasis [12]

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Results

Conclusion