Maternal resveratrol administration protects against gestational diabetes-induced glucose intolerance and islet dysfunction in the rat offspring

Exercise and insulin glargine administration in mothers with diabetes during pregnancy ameliorate function of testis in offspring: Consequences on apelin-13 and its receptor

AIMS

Despite the evidence exhibited that diabetes during gestation (DDG) is linked with reproductive dysfunction in offspring, the underlying cellular mechanisms involved are not precisely defined. This study was designed to assess the impact of voluntary exercise and insulin glargine on DDG-induced metabolic and reproductive disorders in male offspring.

MAIN METHODS

Fifty female Wistar rats (three weeks old) received a control diet (n = 10) or high-fat-high-sucrose diet (to induce DDG; n = 40) for six weeks before breeding. From the 7th day of pregnancy onwards, blood glucose over 140 mg/dL was characterized as DDG. Then, the DDG animals were randomly divided into four subgroups with/without voluntary exercise and/or insulin glargine. To evaluate insulin resistance, a glucose tolerance test was performed on the 15th day of pregnancy. After three weeks, male offspring were weaned, and fed a control diet until 12 weeks old. At the end of the experiment, the lipid profile, sex hormones, and apelin-13 in the serum, mRNA expression of apelin receptors (APJ) in the testis and sperm analysis were assessed.

KEY FINDINGS

Our results indicated that voluntary exercise and/or insulin glargine administration in mothers with DDG ameliorated lipid profile, and sex hormones alterations, reduced the serum level of apelin-13, as well as increased APJ expression in testis, and quality of sperm in offspring.

SIGNIFICANCE

Combined administration of voluntary exercise and insulin glargine during pregnancy by regulating of apelinergic system and inhibiting the metabolic and reproductive complications induced by DDG, can be considered as a suitable therapeutic strategy for improving sub-or in-fertility in the male offspring.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Colostral Appetite-Regulating Adipokines

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex metabolic disorder that has short- and long-term effects on maternal and offspring health. This study aimed to assess the impact of maternal hyperglycemia severity, classified as GDM-G1 (diet treatment) and GDM-G2 (insulin treatment) on colostral appetite-regulating molecules. Colostrum samples were collected from hyperglycemic (N = 30) and normoglycemic (N = 21) mothers, and the concentrations of milk hormones were determined by immunoenzymatic assay. A difference was found for milk ghrelin, but not for molecules such as adiponectin, leptin, resistin, or IGF-I levels, in relation to maternal hyperglycemia. The colostral ghrelin in the GDM-G1 cohort (0.21 ng/mL) was significantly lower than for GDM-G2 (0.38 ng/mL) and non-GDM groups (0.36 ng/mL). However, colostral resistin was higher, but not significantly, for GDM-G1 (13.33 ng/mL) and GDM-G2 (12.81 ng/mL) cohorts than for normoglycemic mothers (7.89 ng/mL). The lack of difference in relation to hyperglycemia for milk leptin, adiponectin, leptin-adiponectin ratio, resistin, and IGF-I levels might be the outcome of effective treatment of GDM during pregnancy. The shift between ghrelin and other appetite-regulating hormones might translate into altered ability to regulate energy balance, affecting offspring's metabolic homeostasis.

Early-life exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus predisposes offspring to pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the prevailing chronic liver disease in the pediatric population due to the global obesity pandemic. Evidence shows that prenatal and postnatal exposure to maternal abnormalities leads to a higher risk of pediatric NAFLD through persistent alterations in developmental programming. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a hyperglycemic syndrome which has become the most prevalent complication in pregnant women. An increasing number of both epidemiologic investigations and animal model studies have validated adverse and long-term outcomes in offspring following GDM exposure in utero. Similarly, GDM is considered a crucial risk factor for pediatric NAFLD. This review aimed to summarize currently published studies concerning the inductive roles of GDM in offspring NAFLD development during childhood and adolescence. Dysregulations in hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in offspring, as well as dysfunctions in the placenta are potential factors in the pathogenesis of GDM-associated pediatric NAFLD. In addition, potentially effective interventions for GDM-associated offspring NAFLD are also discussed in this review. However, most of these therapeutic approaches still require further clinical research for validation.

Resveratrol and beyond: The Effect of Natural Polyphenols on the Cardiovascular System: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unhealthy dietary habits have clearly been shown to contribute to the development of CVDs. Beyond the primary nutrients, a healthy diet is also rich in plant-derived compounds. Natural polyphenols, found in fruits, vegetables, and red wine, have a clear role in improving cardiovascular health. In this review, we strive to summarize the results of the relevant pre-clinical and clinical trials that focused on some of the most important natural polyphenols, such as resveratrol and relevant flavonoids. In addition, we aim to identify their common sources, biosynthesis, and describe their mechanism of action including their regulatory effect on signal transduction pathways. Finally, we provide scientific evidence regarding the cardiovascular benefits of moderate, long-term red wine consumption.

Effect of resveratrol in gestational diabetes mellitus and its complications

The incidence rate of diabetes in pregnancy is about 20%, and diabetes in pregnancy will have a long-term impact on the metabolic health of mothers and their offspring. Mothers may have elevated blood glucose, which may lead to blood pressure disease, kidney disease, decreased resistance and secondary infection during pregnancy. The offspring may suffer from abnormal embryonic development, intrauterine growth restriction, obesity, autism, and other adverse consequences. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol compound, which is found in more than 70 plant species and their products, such as Polygonum cuspidatum, seeds of grapes, peanuts, blueberries, bilberries, and cranberries. Previous studies have shown that RSV has a potential beneficial effect on complex pregnancy, including improving the indicators of diabetes and pregnancy diabetes syndrome. This article has reviewed the molecular targets and signaling pathways of RSV, including AMP-activated protein kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases, silent information regulator sirtuin 1, miR-23a-3p, reactive oxygen species, potassium channels and CX3C chemokine ligand 1, and the effect of RSV on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its complications. RSV improves the indicators of GDM by improving glucose metabolism and insulin tolerance, regulating blood lipids and plasma adipokines, and modulating embryonic oxidative stress and apoptosis. Furthermore, RSV can ameliorate the GDM complications by reducing oxidative stress, reducing the effects on placentation, reducing the adverse effects on embryonic development, reducing offspring's healthy risk, and so on. Thus, this review is of great significance for providing more options and possibilities for further research on medication of gestational diabetes.

Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in developed countries. Evidence of the benefits of resveratrol (RES) for the treatment of DKD is accumulating. However, comprehensive therapeutic targets and underlying mechanisms through which RES exerts its effects against DKD are limited.

METHODS

Drug targets of RES were obtained from Drugbank and SwissTargetPrediction Databases. Disease targets of DKD were obtained from DisGeNET, Genecards, and Therapeutic Target Database. Therapeutic targets for RES against DKD were identified by intersecting the drug targets and disease targets. GO functional enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and disease association analysis were performed using the DAVID database and visualized by Cytoscape software. Molecular docking validation of the binding capacity between RES and targets was performed by UCSF Chimera software and SwissDock webserver. The high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury model, RT-qPCR, and western blot were used to verify the reliability of the effects of RES on target proteins.

RESULTS

After the intersection of the 86 drug targets and 566 disease targets, 25 therapeutic targets for RES against DKD were obtained. And the target proteins were classified into 6 functional categories. A total of 11 cellular components terms and 27 diseases, and the top 20 enriched biological processes, molecular functions, and KEGG pathways potentially involved in the RES action against DKD were recorded. Molecular docking studies showed that RES had a strong binding affinity toward PPARA, ESR1, SLC2A1, SHBG, AR, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, RELA, PIK3CA, MMP9, AKT1, INSR, MMP2, TTR, and CYP2C9 domains. The HG-induced podocyte injury model was successfully constructed and validated by RT-qPCR and western blot. RES treatment was able to reverse the abnormal gene expression of PPARA, SHBG, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, MMP9, AKT1, and INSR.

CONCLUSIONS

RES may target PPARA, SHBG, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, MMP9, AKT1, and INSR domains to act as a therapeutic agent for DKD. These findings comprehensively reveal the potential therapeutic targets for RES against DKD and provide theoretical bases for the clinical application of RES in the treatment of DKD.

Sex differences in glycolipidic disorders after exposure to maternal hyperglycemia during early development

PURPOSE

The aim of this review was to summarize sex differences in glycolipid metabolic phenotypes of human and animal models after exposure to maternal hyperglycemia and overview the underlying mechanisms, providing a new perspective on the maternal hyperglycemia-triggered risk of glycolipidic disorders in offspring.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search within PubMed was performed. Selected publications related to studies on offspring exposed to maternal hyperglycemia investigating the sex differences of glycolipid metabolism were reviewed.

RESULTS

Maternal hyperglycemia increases the risk of glycolipid metabolic disorders in offspring, such as obesity, glucose intolerance and diabetes. Whether with or without intervention, metabolic phenotypes have been shown to exhibit sex differences between male and female offspring in response to maternal hyperglycemia, which may be related to gonadal hormones, organic intrinsic differences, placenta, and epigenetic modifications.

CONCLUSION

Sex may play a role in the different incidences and pathogenesis of abnormal glycolipid metabolism. More studies investigating both sexes are needed to understand how and why environmental conditions in early life affect long-term health between male and female individuals.

The effect of resveratrol in cardio-metabolic disorders during pregnancy and offspring outcomes: a review

Resveratrol supplementation during pregnancy and lactation has been associated with a reduced risk of maternal obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus , and preeclampsia. In addition, emerging evidence has shown that maternal resveratrol supplementation diminishes cardio-metabolic disorders in offspring, highlighting its role in modulating adaptative responses involving phenotypical plasticity. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that administration of resveratrol during pregnancy and lactation periods could be considered an important nutritional intervention to decrease the risk of maternal and offspring cardio-metabolic disorders. To highlight these new insights, this literature review will summarize the understanding emerging from experimental and clinical studies about resveratrol supplementation and its capacity to prevent or minimize maternal and offspring cardio-metabolic disorders.

Effect of Resveratrol on Pregnancy, Prenatal Complications and Pregnancy-Associated Structure Alterations

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are considered significant health risks for pregnant women and their offspring during pregnancy and throughout their lifespan. These outcomes lead to a perturbated in-utero environment that impacts critical phases of the fetus's life and correlates to an increased risk of chronic pathological conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, in both the mother's and adult offspring's life. The dietary intake of naturally occurring antioxidants promotes health benefits and disease prevention. In this regard, maternal dietary intake of polyphenolic antioxidants is linked to a reduced risk of maternal obesity and cardio-metabolic disorders, positively affecting both the fetus and offspring. In this work, we will gather and critically appraise the current literature highlighting the effect/s of the naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidant resveratrol on oxidative stress, inflammation, and other molecular and physiological phenomena associated with pregnancy and pregnancy conditions, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. The resveratrol impact on prenatal complications and pregnancy-associated structures, such as the fetus and placenta, will also be discussed. Finally, we will draw conclusions from the current knowledge and provide future perspectives on potentially exploiting resveratrol as a therapeutic tool in pregnancy-associated conditions.

The Role of Adiponectin during Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy involves a range of metabolic adaptations to supply adequate energy for fetal growth and development. Gestational diabetes (GDM) is defined as hyperglycemia with first onset during pregnancy. GDM is a recognized risk factor for both pregnancy complications and long-term maternal and offspring risk of cardiometabolic disease development. While pregnancy changes maternal metabolism, GDM can be viewed as a maladaptation by maternal systems to pregnancy, which may include mechanisms such as insufficient insulin secretion, dysregulated hepatic glucose output, mitochondrial dysfunction and lipotoxicity. Adiponectin is an adipose-tissue-derived adipokine that circulates in the body and regulates a diverse range of physiologic mechanisms including energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In pregnant women, circulating adiponectin levels decrease correspondingly with insulin sensitivity, and adiponectin levels are low in GDM. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about metabolic adaptations to pregnancy and the role of adiponectin in these processes, with a focus on GDM. Recent studies from rodent model systems have clarified that adiponectin deficiency during pregnancy contributes to GDM development. The upregulation of adiponectin alleviates hyperglycemia in pregnant mice, although much remains to be understood for adiponectin to be utilized clinically for GDM.

Common pregnancy complications and polyphenols intake: an overview

During pregnancy, the body undergoes a great amount of changes in order to support a healthy developing fetus. In this context, maternal dietary supplementation is widely encouraged to provide adequate nutrition for the newborn. In the past few years, studies have emerged highlighting the benefits of polyphenols intake during pregnancy. Indeed, despite differences among reports, such as experimental model, polyphenol employed, dosage and regimen of administration, there is no doubt that the ingestion of these molecules has a protective effect in relation to three pregnancy-associated diseases or conditions: preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and fetal growth restriction. In this review, we describe the effects of different polyphenols and polyphenol-rich extracts or juices on the main outcomes of these common pregnancy-associated complications, obtained in human, animal and in vitro studies. Therefore, this work provides a critical analysis of the literature, and a summary of evidences, from which future research using polyphenols can be designed and evaluated.

The Role of Dietary Polyphenols in Pregnancy and Pregnancy-Related Disorders

Polyphenols are a group of phytochemicals with extensive biological functions and health-promoting potential. These compounds are present in most foods of plant origin and their increased widespread availability through the intake of nutritional supplements, fortified foods, and beverages, has also led to increased exposure throughout gestation. In this narrative review, we focus on the role of polyphenols in both healthy and pathological pregnancy. General information related to their classification and function is followed by an overview of their known effects in early-pregnancy events, including the current insights into molecular mechanisms involved. Further, we provide an overview of their involvement in some of the most common pregnancy-associated pathological conditions, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. Additionally, we also discuss the estimated possible risk of polyphenol consumption on pregnancy outcomes. The consumption of dietary polyphenols during pregnancy needs particular attention considering the possible effects of polyphenols on the mechanisms involved in maternal adaptation and fetal development. Further studies are strongly needed to unravel the in vivo effects of polyphenol metabolites during pregnancy, as well as their role on advanced maternal age, prenatal nutrition, and metabolic risk of the offspring.

CoQ10 and Resveratrol Effects to Ameliorate Aged-Related Mitochondrial Dysfunctions

Mitochondria participate in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Firstly, mitochondria regulate energy metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation. In addition, they are involved in cell fate decisions by activating the apoptotic intrinsic pathway. Finally, they work as intracellular signaling hubs as a result of their tight regulation of ion and metabolite concentrations and other critical signaling molecules such as ROS. Aging is a multifactorial process triggered by impairments in different cellular components. Among the various molecular pathways involved, mitochondria are key regulators of longevity. Indeed, mitochondrial deterioration is a critical signature of the aging process. In this scenario, we will focus specifically on the age-related decrease in CoQ levels, an essential component of the electron transport chain (ETC) and an antioxidant, and how CoQ supplementation could benefit the aging process. Generally, any treatment that improves and sustains mitochondrial functionality is a good candidate to counteract age-related mitochondrial dysfunctions. In recent years, heightened attention has been given to natural compounds that modulate mitochondrial function. One of the most famous is resveratrol due to its ability to increase mitochondrial biogenesis and work as an antioxidant agent. This review will discuss recent clinical trials and meta-analyses based on resveratrol and CoQ supplementation, focusing on how these compounds could improve mitochondrial functionality during aging.

Resveratrol Supplementation in Obese Pregnant Rats Improves Maternal Metabolism and Prevents Increased Placental Oxidative Stress

Maternal obesity (MO) causes maternal and fetal oxidative stress (OS) and metabolic dysfunction. We investigated whether supplementing obese mothers with resveratrol improves maternal metabolic alterations and reduces OS in the placenta and maternal and fetal liver. From weaning through pregnancy female Wistar rats ate chow (C) or a high-fat diet (MO). One month before mating until 19 days’ gestation (dG), half the rats received 20 mg resveratrol/kg/d orally (Cres and MOres). At 19dG, maternal body weight, retroperitoneal fat adipocyte size, metabolic parameters, and OS biomarkers in the placenta and liver were determined. MO mothers showed higher body weight, triglycerides and leptin serum concentrations, insulin resistance (IR), decreased small and increased large adipocytes, liver fat accumulation, and hepatic upregulation of genes related to IR and inflammatory processes. Placenta, maternal and fetal liver OS biomarkers were augmented in MO. MOres mothers showed more small and fewer large adipocytes, lower triglycerides serum concentrations, IR and liver fat accumulation, downregulation of genes related to IR and inflammatory processes, and lowered OS in mothers, placentas, and female fetal liver. Maternal resveratrol supplementation in obese rats improves maternal metabolism and reduces placental and liver OS of mothers and fetuses in a sex-dependent manner.

Resveratrol in Treating Diabetes and Its Cardiovascular Complications: A Review of Its Mechanisms of Action

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. High morbidity and mortality caused by DM are closely linked to its complications in multiple organs/tissues, including cardiovascular complications, diabetic nephropathy, and diabetic neuropathy. Resveratrol is a plant-derived polyphenolic compound with pleiotropic protective effects, ranging from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to hypoglycemic effects. Recent studies strongly suggest that the consumption of resveratrol offers protection against diabetes and its cardiovascular complications. The protective effects of resveratrol involve the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, induction of autophagy, regulation of lipid metabolism, promotion of GLUT4 expression, and translocation, and activation of SIRT1/AMPK signaling axis. The cardiovascular protective effects of resveratrol have been recently reviewed in the literature, but the role of resveratrol in preventing diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular complications has not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of resveratrol based on in vitro and in vivo studies, highlighting the therapeutic potential of resveratrol in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its cardiovascular complications.

Extracellular Vesicles as an Index for Endothelial Injury and Cardiac Dysfunction in a Rodent Model of GDM

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal cardiovascular complications. It is widely believed that maternal endothelial dysfunction is a critical determinant of these risks, however, connections to maternal cardiac dysfunction and mechanisms of pathogenesis are unclear. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging biomarkers that may provide insights into the pathogenesis of GDM. We examined the impact of GDM on maternal cardiac and vascular health in a rat model of diet-induced obesity-associated GDM. We observed a >3-fold increase in circulating levels of endothelial EVs (p < 0.01) and von Willebrand factor (p < 0.001) in GDM rats. A significant increase in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within circulating extracellular vesicles was also observed suggesting possible mitochondrial dysfunction in the vasculature. This was supported by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide deficiency in aortas of GDM mice. GDM was also associated with cardiac remodeling (increased LV mass) and a marked impairment in maternal diastolic function (increased isovolumetric relaxation time [IVRT], p < 0.01). Finally, we observed a strong positive correlation between endothelial EV levels and IVRT (r = 0.57, p < 0.05). In summary, we observed maternal vascular and cardiac dysfunction in rodent GDM accompanied by increased circulating endothelial EVs and EV-associated mitochondrial DNA. Our study highlights a novel method for assessment of vascular injury in GDM and highlights vascular mitochondrial injury as a possible therapeutic target.

Recent Experimental Studies of Maternal Obesity, Diabetes during Pregnancy and the Developmental Origins of Cardiovascular Disease

Globally, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death. Most concerning is the rise in cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, diabetes and hypertension among youth, which increases the likelihood of the development of earlier and more severe cardiovascular disease. While lifestyle factors are involved in these trends, an increasing body of evidence implicates environmental exposures in early life on health outcomes in adulthood. Maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy, which have increased dramatically in recent years, also have profound effects on fetal growth and development. Mounting evidence is emerging that maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy have lifelong effects on cardiovascular risk factors and heart disease development. However, the mechanisms responsible for these observations are unknown. In this review, we summarize the findings of recent experimental studies, showing that maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy affect energy metabolism and heart disease development in the offspring, with a focus on the mechanisms involved. We also evaluate early proof-of-concept studies for interventions that could mitigate maternal obesity and gestational diabetes-induced cardiovascular disease risk in the offspring.

Adiponectin deficiency induces hepatic steatosis during pregnancy and gestational diabetes in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Obesity and hepatic steatosis are risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a common complication of pregnancy. Adiponectin is a fat-derived hormone that improves hepatic steatosis and insulin sensitivity. Low levels of circulating adiponectin are associated with GDM development. We hypothesised that adiponectin deficiency causes fatty liver during pregnancy, contributing to the development of GDM.

METHODS

To determine the role of adiponectin in fatty liver development during pregnancy, we compared pregnant (third week of pregnancy) adiponectin knockout (KO) mice (strain B6;129-Adipoq^tm1Chan/J) with wild-type mice and assessed several variables of hepatic lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. The impact of adiponectin supplementation was measured by administering adenovirus-mediated full-length adiponectin at the end of the second week of pregnancy and comparing with green fluorescent protein control.

RESULTS

In the third week of pregnancy, fasted pregnant adiponectin KO mice were hyperglycaemic on a low-fat diet (9.2 mmol/l vs 7.7 mmol/l in controls, p<0.05) and were glucose and pyruvate intolerant relative to wild-type mice. Pregnant adiponectin KO mice developed hepatic steatosis and a threefold elevation in hepatic triacylglycerols (p<0.05) relative to wild-type mice. Gestational weight gain and food consumption were similar in KO and wild-type mice. Adenoviral-mediated adiponectin supplementation to pregnant adiponectin KO mice improved glucose tolerance, prevented fasting hyperglycaemia and attenuated fatty liver development.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Adiponectin deficiency increased hepatic lipid accumulation during the period of pregnancy associated with increased fat utilisation. Consequently, adiponectin deficiency contributed to glucose intolerance, dysregulated gluconeogenesis and hyperglycaemia, all of which are characteristic of GDM. Increasing adiponectin in the last week of pregnancy alleviated hepatic steatosis and restored normal glucose homeostasis during pregnancy.

Hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects of resveratrol: A focus on anti-inflammatory and anti- oxidative activities

Being the most essential organ in the body, the liver performs critical functions. Hepatic disorders, such as alcoholic liver disease, hepatic steatosis, liver fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic failure, have an impact on the biochemical and physiological functions of the body. The main representative of the flavonoid subgroup of flavones, Resveratrol (RES), exhibits suitable pharmacological activities for treating various liver diseases, such as fatty hepatitis, liver steatosis, liver cancer and liver fibrosis. According to various studies, grapes and red wine are good sources of RES. RES has various health properties; it is anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective against several hepatic diseases and hepatoxicity. Therefore, we performed a thorough research and created a summary of the distinct targets of RES in various stages of liver diseases. We concluded that RES inhibited liver inflammation essentially by causing a significant decrease in the expression of various pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6. It also inhibits the transcription factor nuclear NF-κB that brings about the inflammatory cascade. RES also inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to induce apoptosis. Additionally, it reduces oxidative stress in hepatic tissue by markedly reducing MDA and NO contents, and significantly increasing the levels of CAT, SOD and reduced GSH, in addition to AST and ALT, against toxic chemicals like CC14, As2O3 and TTA. Due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, RES reduces liver injury markers. RES is safe natural antioxidant that provides pharmacological rectification of the hepatoxicity of toxic chemicals.

The Effect of Resveratrol on the Cardiovascular System from Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Results

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide. The cardioprotective effects of natural polyphenols such as resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene) have been extensively investigated throughout recent decades. Many studies of RES have focused on its favorable effects on pathological conditions related to cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors. The aim of this review was to summarize the wide beneficial effects of resveratrol on the cardiovascular system, including signal transduction pathways of cell longevity, energy metabolism of cardiomyocytes or cardiac remodeling, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, this paper discusses the significant preclinical and human clinical trials of recent years with resveratrol on cardiovascular system. Finally, we present a short overview of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and possible future perspectives on RES against COVID-19 in cardiovascular diseases.

Berberine elevates cardiolipin in heart of offspring from mouse dams with high fat diet-induced gestational diabetes mellitus

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid from plants known to improve cardiac mitochondrial function in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) offspring but the mechanism is poorly understood. We examined the role of the mitochondrial phospholipid cardiolipin (CL) in mediating this cardiac improvement. C57BL/6 female mice were fed either a Lean-inducing low-fat diet or a GDM-inducing high-fat diet for 6 weeks prior to breeding. Lean and GDM-exposed male offspring were randomly assigned a low-fat, high-fat, or high-fat diet containing BBR at weaning for 12 weeks. The content of CL was elevated in the heart of GDM offspring fed a high fat diet containing BBR. The increase in total cardiac CL was due to significant increases in the most abundant and functionally important CL species, tetralinoleoyl-CL and this correlated with an increase in the expression of the CL remodeling enzyme tafazzin. Additionally, BBR treatment increased expression of cardiac enzymes involved in fatty acid uptake and oxidation and electron transport chain subunits in high fat diet fed GDM offspring. Thus, dietary BBR protection from cardiac dysfunction in GDM exposed offspring involves improvement in mitochondrial function mediated through increased synthesis of CL.

Effect of Polyphenols Intake on Obesity-Induced Maternal Programming

Excess caloric intake and body fat accumulation lead to obesity, a complex chronic disease that represents a significant public health problem due to the health-related risk factors. There is growing evidence showing that maternal obesity can program the offspring, which influences neonatal phenotype and predispose offspring to metabolic disorders such as obesity. This increased risk may also be epigenetically transmitted across generations. Thus, there is an imperative need to find effective reprogramming approaches in order to resume normal fetal development. Polyphenols are bioactive compounds found in vegetables and fruits that exert its anti-obesity effect through its powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Polyphenol supplementation has been proven to counteract the prejudicial effects of maternal obesity programming on progeny. Indeed, some polyphenols can cross the placenta and protect the fetal predisposition against obesity. The present review summarizes the effects of dietary polyphenols on obesity-induced maternal reprogramming as an offspring anti-obesity approach.

Saskatoon berry powder reduces hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in high fat-high sucrose diet-induced obese mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and lacks a specific treatment. Our previous studies demonstrated that freeze-dried Saskatoon berry powder (SBp) reduced high fat-high sucrose (HFHS) diet-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in mice. The present study examined the effect of SBp and one of its active components, cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), on hepatic steatosis in mice fed with HFHS diet for 10 weeks. HFHS diet significantly increased fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance, inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, plasminogen activator inbitor-1), alanine aminotransferase activity, and monocyte adhesion compared to control diet. In the liver, HFHS diet increased steatosis, lipid accumulation, collagen deposition, and the abundance of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, toll-like receptor-4, and macrophage marker. Supplementation with SBp (5%) or C3G in an amount corresponding to that in 5% SBp to HFHS diet had similar effects to reduced fasting plasma glucose, liver steatosis, enzyme activity, lipid, collagen and macrophage deposition, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, monocyte adhesion, markers related to liver steatosis, inflammation, oxidative or endoplasmic reticulum stress in the peripheral circulation and/or liver compared to mice fed with HFHS diet alone. No significant difference in the studied variables was detected between mice treated with HFHS+SBp and C3G diet. The results suggest that SBp or C3G administration attenuates HFHS diet-induced liver steatosis in addition to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in mice. C3G may contribute to the beneficial effects of SBp.

Supplemental Berberine in a High-Fat Diet Reduces Adiposity and Cardiac Dysfunction in Offspring of Mouse Dams with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

There are few evidence-based strategies to attenuate the risk of metabolic syndrome in offspring exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Chinese herbs and exhibits glucose lowering properties.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that dietary BBR would improve health outcomes in the mouse offspring of GDM dams.

METHODS

Wild-type C57BL/6 female mice were fed either a Lean-inducing low-fat diet (L-LF,10% kcal fat, 35% kcal sucrose) or a GDM-inducing high-fat diet (GDM-HF, 45% kcal fat, 17.5% sucrose) for 6 wk prior to breeding with wild-type C57BL/6 male mice throughout pregnancy and the suckling period. The resulting Lean and GDM-exposed male and female offspring were randomly assigned an LF (10% kcal fat, 35% kcal sucrose), HF (45% kcal fat, 17.5% sucrose), or high-fat berberine (HFB) (45% kcal fat, 17.5% sucrose diet) containing BBR (160 mg/kg/d, HFB) at weaning for 12 wk. The main outcome was to evaluate the effects of BBR on obesity, pancreatic islet function, and cardiac contractility in GDM-exposed HF-fed offspring. Significance between measurements was determined using a 2 (gestational exposure) × 3 (diet) factorial design by a 2- way ANOVA using Tukey post-hoc analysis.

RESULTS

In the GDM-HF group, body weights were significantly increased (16%) compared with those in baseline (L-LF) animals (P < 0.05). Compared with the L-LF animals, the GDM-HF group had a reduction in pancreatic insulin glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (74%) and increased cardiac isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT; ∼150%) (P < 0.05). Compared with GDM-HF animals, the GDM-HFB group with the dietary addition of BBR had significantly reduced body weight (16%), increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic islets (254%), and reduced systolic heart function (46% IVCT) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In a mouse model of GDM, dietary BBR treatment provided protection from obesity and the development of pancreatic islet and cardiac dysfunction.

Prenatal Hyperglycemia Exposure and Cellular Stress, a Sugar-Coated View of Early Programming of Metabolic Diseases

Worldwide, the number of people with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980 reaching 422 million in 2014 (World Health Organization). This distressing rise in diabetes also affects pregnant women and thus, in regard to early programming of adult diseases, creates a vicious cycle of metabolic dysfunction passed from one generation to another. Metabolic diseases are complex and caused by the interplay between genetic and environmental factors. High-glucose exposure during in utero development, as observed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is an established risk factor for metabolic diseases. Despite intense efforts to better understand this phenomenon of early memory little is known about the molecular mechanisms associating early exposure to long-term diseases risk. However, evidence promotes glucose associated oxidative stress as one of the molecular mechanisms able to influence susceptibility to metabolic diseases. Thus, we decided here to further explore the relationship between early glucose exposure and cellular stress in the context of early development, and focus on the concept of glycemic memory, its consequences, and sexual dimorphic and epigenetic aspects.

Resveratrol intake during pregnancy and lactation re-programs adiposity and ameliorates leptin resistance in male progeny induced by maternal high-fat/high sucrose plus postnatal high-fat/high sucrose diets via fat metabolism regulation

Background

Maternal obesity is an emerging problem in the modern world. Growing evidence suggests that intrauterine high-fat (HF) exposure may predispose progeny to subsequent metabolic challenges. Progeny born to mothers who ate an HF diet also tends to eat an HF diet when growing and aggravate metabolic issues. Thus, the generational transmission of obesity is cyclical. Developing a strategy to prevent the occurrence of metabolic syndrome related to prenatal and/or postnatal HF diet is important. In this study, the reprogramming effects of maternal resveratrol treatment for the progeny with maternal HF/postnatal HF diets were investigated.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley dams were fed either a control or a high-fat/high sucrose diet (HFHS) from mating to lactation. After weaning, the progeny was fed chow or an HF diet. Four experimental groups were yielded: CC (maternal/postnatal control diet), HC (maternal HF/postnatal control diet), CH (maternal control/postnatal HFHS diet), and HH (maternal/postnatal HFHS diet). A fifth group (HRH) received a maternal HFHS diet plus maternal resveratrol treatment and a postnatal chow diet to study the effects of maternal resveratrol therapy.

Results

Maternal resveratrol treatment lessened the weight and adiposity of progeny that were programmed by combined prenatal and postnatal HFHS diets. Maternal resveratrol therapy ameliorated the decreased abundance of the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) enzyme in retroperitoneal tissue and the altered leptin/soluble leptin receptor ratio of progeny. Maternal resveratrol therapy also decreased lipogenesis and increased lipolysis for progeny.

Conclusions

Maternal resveratrol intervention can prevent adiposity programmed by maternal and postnatal HFHS diets by inducing lipid metabolic modulation. This study offers a novel reprogramming role for the effect of maternal resveratrol supplements against obesity.

Health Benefits and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol: A Narrative Review

Resveratrol is a bioactive compound in many foods. Since its anticancer activity was reported in 1997, its health benefits have been intensively investigated. Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects, therefore, can protect against diverse chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, liver diseases, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. This review summarizes the main findings of resveratrol-related health benefits in recent epidemiological surveys, experimental studies, and clinical trials, highlighting its related molecular mechanisms. Resveratrol, therefore, has been regarded as a potent candidate for the development of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals to prevent and treat certain chronic diseases.

Upregulation Of Renal GLUT2 And SGLT2 Is Involved In High-Fat Diet-Induced Gestational Diabetes In Mice

INTRODUCTION

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder during mid- to late-pregnancy characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and fetal mal-development. Glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2) and sodium-coupled glucose cotransporters 2 (SGLT2) in the proximal tubules play a critical role in the reabsorption of glucose and have been linked to the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study was designed to investigate the role of GLUT2 and SGLT2 in the pathogenesis of GDM, which is considered a forerunner of T2DM, and investigate the related molecular mechanism.

METHODS

High-fat diet (HFD) was utilized to build a GDM mouse model that closely induces metabolic abnormalities similar to human GDM. Body weight, blood glucose and serum insulin were recorded in the experimental process. Glucose tolerance was determined by the use of an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). In addition, levels of GLUT2 and SGLT2 were evaluated to further explore the underlying mechanism of GDM.

RESULTS

HFD feeding induced abnormal glucose metabolism as manifested by increased levels of blood glucose and insulin and prominent glucose intolerance. Additionally, fetal mice from mother feed on HFD showed higher mean body weight. Furthermore, HFD feeding led to an increase in the number of positive cells of GLUT2 and SGLT2 in the renal proximal tubule and the expressions of renal GLUT2 and SGLT2 mRNA and proteins in mice. However, no obvious change was observed in renal morphology.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates a potential involvement of renal GLUT2 and SGLT2 in GDM pathology in an HFD-induced GDM mouse model, which further supports the role of renal GLUT2 and SGLT2 not only in T1DM and T2DM but also in GDM.