The Fruits of Ripe Old Age: Potential Role for Polyphenols in the Modulation of Disorders of Energy Regulation in Aging

Evan Paul Cherniack

doi:10.4172/2167-7182.1000e110

Abstract

The process of aging is accompanied by many disorders of energy regulation. Frailty, an important pathologic syndrome in the elderly, has multiple causes, but it is characterized by sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass), or alternatively dynapenia (loss of muscle strength). There is a related and concomitant increase in fat mass, sometimes referred to as sarcopenic-obesity. Research on the applications of polyphenols to treat energy regulatory disorders of aging is only in its early stages. There are many barriers that need to be overcome before polyphenols are practically applied. Polyphenols are rapidly metabolized in the small intestine, and their bioavailability is quite limited, although their metabolites might also be active.

Highlights

Ten individuals took a mixture of 100mg resveratrol and 75mg of other grape polyphenols with a meal rich in fat and carbohydrates
[8] Peripheral blood monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells from these subjects had lower levels of 1L1β, thioredoxin, Nrf-2, SOD-2, toll-like receptor 4, CD40, and NDq1. Another ten participants ingested a 40mg resveratrol supplement a day for a month and a half
[9] Monocytes from the subjects had reduced inflammatory cytokine levels. Another eleven subjects, all overweight had reduced adipocyte levels and lower blood pressure when they consumed 150 mg daily for 4 weeks [10]. Another dietary polyphenol which might have an important impact on energy regulation in aging is quercetin, which is found in numerous vegetables and fruits

Summary

Introduction

Human trials of polyphenols are occurring. The best studied polyphenol, resveratrol is being tested as a treatment for metabolic syndrome, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction. The polyphenol retards lipid accretion in adipocytes, in vitro[5]. It reduces levels of genes promoting the maturation of adipoctes, FAS, SREBP1c, C/EBP-α, LPL, HSL, and PPAR-γ. [6] Resveratrol acts on the mitochondrial gene SIRT3, which promotes the expression of two mitochondrial proteins: uncoupling protein 1 and Mitofusin 2. Human studies have suggested resveratrol improves systemic glucose and insulin regulation.

Results

Conclusion