Effect of Anthocyanin-Rich Tart Cherry Extract on Inflammatory Mediators and Adipokines Involved in Type 2 Diabetes in a High Fat Diet Induced Obesity Mouse Model

Amelioration of Insulin Resistance by Whey Protein in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Pediatric Obesity Male Mouse Model

This study examined whey protein's impact on insulin resistance in a high-fat diet-induced pediatric obesity mouse model. Pregnant mice were fed high-fat diets, and male pups continued this diet until 8 weeks old, then were split into high-fat, whey, and casein diet groups. At 12 weeks old, their body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood insulin level (IRI), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), liver lipid metabolism gene expression, and liver metabolites were compared. The whey group showed significantly lower body weight than the casein group at 12 weeks old (p = 0.034). FBG was lower in the whey group compared to the high-fat diet group (p < 0.01) and casein group (p = 0.058); IRI and HOMA-IR were reduced in the whey group compared to the casein group (p = 0.02, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). The levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and hormone-sensitive lipase were upregulated in the whey group compared to the casein group (p < 0.01, p = 0.03). Metabolomic analysis revealed that the levels of taurine and glycine, both known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, were upregulated in the whey group in the liver tissue (p < 0.01, p < 0.01). The intake of whey protein was found to improve insulin resistance in a high-fat diet-induced pediatric obesity mouse model.

Effectiveness of anthocyanin-containing foods and nutraceuticals in mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular health-related biomarkers: a systematic review of animal and human interventions

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of chronic health disorders prevalent worldwide that claim millions of lives yearly. Inflammation and oxidative stress are intricately associated with myocardial tissue damage, endothelial dysfunction, and increased odds of heart failure. Thus, dietary strategies aimed at decreasing the odds of CVDs are paramount. In this regard, the consumption of anthocyanins, natural pigments found in edible flowers, fruits, and vegetables, has attracted attention due to their potential to promote cardiovascular health. The main mechanisms of action linked with their protective effects on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, serum lipid profile modulation, and other cardiovascular health parameters are explained and exemplified. However, little is known about the dose-dependency nature of the effects, which anthocyanin has better efficiency, and whether anthocyanin-containing foods display better in vivo efficacy than nutraceuticals (i.e., concentrated extracts containing higher levels of anthocyanins than foods). Thus, this systematic review focused on determining the effects of anthocyanin-containing foods and nutraceuticals on biomarkers associated with CVDs using animal studies and human interventions supported by in vitro mechanistic insights. Overall, the results showed that the regular consumption of anthocyanin-containing foods and nutraceuticals improved vascular function, lipid profile, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The daily dosage, the participants' health status, and the duration of the intervention also significantly influenced the results.

Changes in the Composition of Unstimulated and Stimulated Saliva Due to Chewing Sour Cherry Gum and a Toothbrush Change

BACKGROUND

Our previous studies demonstrated that sour cherry anthocyanins (AC) reduce the salivary count of Streptococcus mutans and inhibit salivary amylase activity within 30 minutes after chewing AC gum. AC gum and changing toothbrushes after scaling reduced the Gram-negative species in the unstimulated salivary microbiota. The present study examined the effect of AC gums on salivary factors, including changes in microbiome.

METHODS

The study was conducted over three weeks with two groups; young adults (18-30) and adults (30-45). Ten participants changed their toothbrushes, while the other 10 participants did not change after the control period. After scaling, all participants received three doses of AC gum daily. The salivary mRNA and protein levels of cytokines, mucins, melatonin, and the microbiota of unstimulated and stimulated saliva were determined by polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), mucin5B (MUC5B), mucin7 (MUC7), and melatonin were detected in stimulated saliva. Correlation analysis of these factors with the microbiota showed positive correlations with the genera Lachnospiraceae, Eikenella, Saccharibacteria_(TM7), Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Haemophilus.

CONCLUSIONS

AC chewing gum has a beneficial effect on the composition of the oral microbiome, and toothbrush replacement leads to changes in the levels of salivary pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Anthocyanins' effects on diabetes mellitus and islet transplantation

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is dramatically increasing every year, causing a huge global burden. Moreover, existing anti-diabetic drugs inevitably bring adverse reactions, and the application of islet transplantation is often limited by the damage caused by oxidative stress after transplantation. Thus, new approaches are needed to combat the growing burden of diabetes mellitus. Anthocyanins are of great nutritional interest and have been documented that have beneficial effects on chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Here, we describe the health effects of anthocyanins on diabetes mellitus and islet transplantation. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that moderate intake of anthocyanins leading to a reduction in risk of diabetes mellitus. Numerous experiments both animal and clinical studies also showed positive effects of anthocyanins on prevention and treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications. These effects of anthocyanins may be related to mechanisms of improving glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, damage and function of pancreatic islets after transplantation are also improved by anthocyanins. These findings suggest that daily intake of anthocyanins may not only improve nutritional metabolism in healthy individuals to prevent from diabetes, but also as a supplementary treatment of diabetes mellitus and islet transplantation. Thus, more evidence is needed to better understand the potential health benefits of anthocyanins.

ATP-binding cassette protein ABCC8 promotes anthocyanin accumulation in strawberry fruits

Anthocyanins are important health-promoting flavonoid compounds that substantially contribute to fruit quality. Anthocyanin biosynthesis and most regulatory mechanisms are relatively well understood. However, the functions of anthocyanin transport genes in strawberry fruit remain unclear. In this study, a gene encoding an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein of type C, ABCC8, was isolated from strawberry fruits. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the transcript levels of FvABCC8 were the highest and were strongly correlated with anthocyanin accumulation during strawberry fruit ripening. Transient overexpression and RNAi of FvABCC8 led to an increase and decrease in anthocyanin content in strawberry fruits, respectively. Moreover, the ABCC8 promoter was activated by MYB and bHLH transcription factors MYB10, bHLH33, and MYC1. Sucrose enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in FvABCC8-overexpressing Arabidopsis, particularly at higher concentrations. FvABCC8-overexpressing lines were less sensitive to ABA during seed germination and seedling development. These results suggest that strawberry vacuolar anthocyanin transport may be mediated by the ABCC transporter ABCC8, the expression of which may be regulated by transcription factors MYB10, bHLH33, and MYC1.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of natural products and herbal extracts on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition that is prevalent in patients who consume little or no alcohol, and is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The disease is becoming increasingly common with the rapid economic development of countries. Long-term accumulation of excess fat can lead to NAFLD, which represents a global health problem with no effective therapeutic approach. NAFLD is a complex, multifaceted pathological process that has been the subject of extensive research over the past few decades. Herbal medicines have gained attention as potential therapeutic agents to prevent and treat NAFLD due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects. Our overview is based on a PubMed and Web of Science database search as of Dec 22 with the keywords: NAFLD/NASH Natural products and NAFLD/NASH Herbal extract. In this review, we evaluate the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of NAFLD. These natural resources have the potential to inform innovative drug research and the development of treatments for NAFLD in the future.

Therapeutic Aspects of Prunus cerasus Extract in a Rabbit Model of Atherosclerosis-Associated Diastolic Dysfunction

This study evaluates the potential therapeutic effects of anthocyanin-rich Prunus cerasus (sour cherry) extract (PCE) on atherosclerosis-associated cardiac dysfunction, described by the impairment of the NO-PKG (nitric oxide-protein kinase G) pathway and the antioxidant capacity. Initially, a rabbit model of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was established by administering a cholesterol-rich diet, enabling the examination of the impact of 9 g/kg PCE on the pre-existing compromised cardiovascular condition. After that, the animals were divided into four groups for 12 weeks: the (1) untreated control group; (2) PCE-administered healthy rabbits; (3) hypercholesterolemic (HC) group kept on an atherogenic diet; and (4) PCE-treated HC group. Dyslipidemia, impaired endothelial function, and signs of diastolic dysfunction were evident in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, accompanied by a reduced cardiac expression of eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), PKG, and SERCA2a (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a). Subsequent PCE treatment improved the lipid profile and the cardiac function. Additionally, PCE administration was associated with elevated myocardial levels of eNOS, PKG, and SERCA2a, while no significant changes in the vascular status were observed. Western blot analysis further revealed hypercholesterolemia-induced increase and PCE-associated reduction in heme oxygenase-1 expression. The observed effects of anthocyanins indicate their potential as a valuable addition to the treatment regimen for atherosclerosis-associated cardiac dysfunction.

The potential role of alfalfa polysaccharides and their sulphated derivatives in the alleviation of obesity

Sulfated alfalfa polysaccharides (SAPs) as derivatives of alfalfa polysaccharides (APs) showed better in vitro antioxidant activity and potential obesity inhibition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanisms of APs and SAPs on obesity alleviation. Different concentrations of APs and SAPs were tested for effects on body conditions, gut flora, antioxidant capacity, and immunological factors. The results showed that APs and SAPs improved the physical conditions of obese mice, including organ weight, body weight, intraperitoneal fat ratio, and lipid levels. APs and SAPs increased the antioxidant capacity of the obese mice, enhanced the activity of SOD and CAT, and decreased the activity of MDA in the serum, liver, and colon. APs and SAPs upregulated the mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10 and downregulated the mRNA expression of NF-κB, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the liver and colon. Meanwhile, APs and SAPs improved lipid absorption in the jejunum, upregulated LXR and GLP-2, and down-regulated the mRNA expression of NPC1L1. APs and SAPs also contributed to restoring short-chain fatty acid levels in the colon. APs and SAPs improved the structure of the intestinal flora, promoted the proliferation of bacteria associated with short-chain fatty acid metabolism, and inhibited the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. At the same concentration, the effect of SAPs on the antioxidant capacity was stronger than that of APs. In the AP group, high concentrations of APs showed the best anti-inflammatory effect, while in the SAP group, medium concentrations of SAPs showed the best inhibition of inflammation. Our results suggest that APs and SAPs alleviate obesity symptoms by relieving inflammation, improving the antioxidant capacity, and regulating intestinal flora and therefore could be used as potential probiotic products to alleviate obesity.

Food Polyphenols and Type II Diabetes Mellitus: Pharmacology and Mechanisms

Type II diabetes mellitus and its related complications are growing public health problems. Many natural products present in our diet, including polyphenols, can be used in treating and managing type II diabetes mellitus and different diseases, owing to their numerous biological properties. Anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, curcuminoids, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, and phenolic acids are common polyphenols found in blueberries, chokeberries, sea-buckthorn, mulberries, turmeric, citrus fruits, and cereals. These compounds exhibit antidiabetic effects through different pathways. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of the most recent developments in using food polyphenols for managing and treating type II diabetes mellitus, along with various mechanisms. In addition, the present work summarizes the literature about the anti-diabetic effect of food polyphenols and evaluates their potential as complementary or alternative medicines to treat type II diabetes mellitus. Results obtained from this survey show that anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, curcuminoids, and phenolic acids can manage diabetes mellitus by protecting pancreatic β-cells against glucose toxicity, promoting β-cell proliferation, reducing β-cell apoptosis, and inhibiting α-glucosidases or α-amylase. In addition, these phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant anti-inflammatory activities, modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, optimize oxidative stress, reduce insulin resistance, and stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. They also activate insulin signaling and inhibit digestive enzymes, regulate intestinal microbiota, improve adipose tissue metabolism, inhibit glucose absorption, and inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products. However, insufficient data are available on the effective mechanisms necessary to manage diabetes.

Anthocyanins ameliorate obesity-associated metainflammation: Preclinical and clinical evidence

The growing rates of obesity worldwide call for intervention strategies to help control the pathophysiological consequences of weight gain. The use of natural foods and bioactive compounds has been suggested as such a strategy because of their recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, are candidates for managing obesity and its related metabolic disorders. Obesity is well known for the presence of metainflammation, which has been labeled as an inflammatory activation that leads to a variety of metabolic disorders, usually related to increased oxidative stress. Considering this, anthocyanins may be promising natural compounds able to modulate several intracellular mechanisms, mitigating oxidative stress and metainflammation. A wide variety of foods and extracts rich in anthocyanins have become the focus of research in the field of obesity. Here, we bring together the current knowledge regarding the use of anthocyanins as an intervention tested in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials to modulate metainflammation. Most recent research applies a wide variety of extracts and natural sources of anthocyanins, in diverse experimental models, which represents a limitation of the research field. However, the literature is sufficiently consistent to establish that the in-depth molecular analysis of gut microbiota, insulin signaling, TLR4-triggered inflammation, and oxidative stress pathways reveals their modulation by anthocyanins. These targets are interconnected at the cellular level and interact with one another, leading to obesity-associated metainflammation. Thus, the positive findings with anthocyanins observed in preclinical models might directly relate to the positive outcomes in clinical studies. In summary and based on the entirety of the relevant literature, anthocyanins can mitigate obesity-related perturbations in gut microbiota, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation and therefore may contribute as a therapeutic tool in people living with obesity.

Physical Exercise and Diet: Regulation of Gut Microbiota to Prevent and Treat Metabolic Disorders to Maintain Health

Each person's body is host to a large number and variety of gut microbiota, which has been described as the second genome and plays an important role in the body's metabolic process and is closely related to health. It is common knowledge that proper physical activity and the right diet structure can keep us healthy, and in recent years, researchers have found that this boost to health may be related to the gut microbiota. Past studies have reported that physical activity and diet can modulate the compositional structure of the gut microbiota and further influence the production of key metabolites of the gut microbiota, which can be an effective way to improve body metabolism and prevent and treat related metabolic diseases. In this review, we outline the role of physical activity and diet in regulating gut microbiota and the key role that gut microbiota plays in improving metabolic disorders. In addition, we highlight the regulation of gut microbiota through appropriate physical exercise and diet to improve body metabolism and prevent metabolic diseases, aiming to promote public health and provide a new approach to treating such diseases.

Potential of enhancing anti-obesogenic agriceuticals by applying sustainable fertilizers during plant cultivation

Overweight and obesity are two of the world's biggest health problems. They are associated with excessive fat accumulation resulting from an imbalance between energy consumed and energy expended. Conventional therapies for obesity commonly include synthetic drugs and surgical procedures that can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, developing effective, safe, and readily available new treatments to prevent and treat obesity is highly relevant. Many plant extracts have shown anti-obesogenic potential. These plant extracts are composed of different agriceuticals such as fibers, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, lignans, and proteins that can manage obesity by suppressing appetite, inhibiting digestive enzymes, reducing adipogenesis and lipogenesis, promoting lipolysis and thermogenesis, modulating gut microbiota and suppressing obesity-induced inflammation. These anti-obesogenic agriceuticals can be enhanced in plants during their cultivation by applying sustainable fertilization strategies, improving their capacity to fight the obesity pandemic. Biofertilization and nanofertilization are considered efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategies to enhance plant growth and development and increase the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds, representing an alternative to overproducing the anti-obesogenic agriceuticals of interest. However, further research is required to study the impact of anti-obesogenic plant species grown using these agricultural practices. This review presents the current scenario of overweight and obesity; recent research work describing different plant species with significant effects against obesity; and several reports exhibiting the potential of the biofertilization and nanofertilization practices to enhance the concentrations of bioactive molecules of anti-obesogenic plant species.

Lycopene Improves Metabolic Disorders and Liver Injury Induced by a Hight-Fat Diet in Obese Rats

Epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is positively related to the development of obesity. Lycopene (LYC) can potentially combat HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in rats. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LYC on metabolic syndrome and assess its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the liver and adipose tissue in rats fed an HFD. Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. Group Ι (the control group) was fed a normal diet, group ΙΙ (HFD) received an HFD for 16 weeks, and group ΙΙΙ (HFD + LYC) received an HFD for 12 weeks and then LYC (25 mg/kg b.wt) was administered for four weeks. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, lipid profile, liver function biomarkers, and inflammatory markers were determined. The results showed that long-term consumption of an HFD significantly increased weight gain, liver weight, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Rats on an HFD displayed higher levels of lipid peroxidation and inflammatory markers. Moreover, liver and white adipose tissue histopathological investigations showed that LYC treatment mended the damaged tissue. Overall, LYC supplementation successfully reversed HFD-induced changes and shifts through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, LYC displayed a therapeutic potential to manage obesity and its associated pathologies.

The Role of Anthocyanin in Modulating Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease and Its Potential to Be Developed as a Nutraceutical

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is directly linked to diabetes mellitus (DM), and its morbidity and mortality are rising at an alarming rate. Individuals with DM experience significantly worse clinical outcomes due to heart failure as a CVD consequence than non-diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia is the main culprit that triggers the activation of oxidative damage, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis pathways that aggravate diabetic CVD progression. In recent years, the development of phytochemical-based nutraceutical products for diabetic treatment has risen due to their therapeutic properties. Anthocyanin, which can be found in various types of plants, has been proposed for preventing and treating various diseases, and has elicited excellent antioxidative, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and anti-apoptosis effects. In preclinical and clinical studies, plants rich in anthocyanin have been reported to attenuate diabetic CVD. Therefore, the development of anthocyanin as a nutraceutical in managing diabetic CVD is in demand. In this review, we unveil the role of anthocyanin in modulating diabetic CVD, and its potential to be developed as a nutraceutical for a therapeutic strategy in managing CVD associated with DM.

Comparison of the Modulating Effect of Anthocyanin-Rich Sour Cherry Extract on Occludin and ZO-1 on Caco-2 and HUVEC Cultures

Increased permeability of the epithelial and endothelial cell layers results in the onset of pathogenic mechanisms. In both cell types, cell–cell connections play a regulatory role in altering membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to investigate the modulating effect of anthocyanin-rich extract (AC) on TJ proteins in inflammatory Caco-2 and HUVEC monolayers. Distribution of Occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were investigated by immunohistochemical staining and the protein levels were measured by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values were measured during a permeability assay on HUVEC cell culture. As a result of inflammatory induction by TNF-α, redistribution of proteins was observed in Caco-2 cell culture, which was reduced by AC treatment. In HUVEC cell culture, the decrease in protein and mRNA expression was more dominant during inflammatory induction, which was compensated for by the AC treatment. Overall, AC positively affected the expression of the examined cell-binding structures forming the membrane on both cell types.

The Benefits of Anthocyanins against Obesity-Induced Inflammation

Obesity has become a serious public health epidemic because of its associations with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Obesity triggers inflammation marked by the secretion of low-grade inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α, leading to a condition known as “meta-inflammation”. Currently, there is great interest in studying the treatment of obesity with food-derived bioactive compounds, which have low toxicity and no severe adverse events compared with pharmacotherapeutic agents. Here, we reviewed the beneficial effects of the bioactive compounds known as anthocyanins on obesity-induced inflammation. Foods rich in anthocyanins include tart cherries, red raspberries, black soybeans, blueberries, sweet cherries, strawberries and Queen Garnet plums. These anthocyanin-rich foods have been evaluated in cell culture, animal, and clinical studies, and found to be beneficial for health, reportedly reducing inflammatory markers. One factor in the development of obesity-related inflammation may be dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. Therefore, we focused this review on the in vitro and in vivo effects of anthocyanins on inflammation and the gut microbiota in obesity.

Dietary supplementation of inulin alleviates metabolism disorders in gestational diabetes mellitus mice via RENT/AKT/IRS/GLUT4 pathway

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has significant short and long-term health consequences for both the mother and child. There is limited but suggestive evidence that inulin could improve glucose tolerance during pregnancy. This study assessed the effect of inulin on glucose homeostasis and elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the inulin-induced antidiabetic effects during pregnancy.

METHOD

Female C57BL/6 mice were randomized to receive either no treatment, high-dose inulin and low-dose inulin for 7 weeks with measurement of biochemical profiles. A real-time² (RT²) profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array involved in glycolipid metabolism was measured.

RESULTS

Inulin treatment facilitated glucose homeostasis in a dose-dependent manner by decreasing fasting blood glucose, advanced glycation end products and total cholesterol, and improving glucose tolerance. Suppressing resistin (RETN) expression was observed in the inulin treatment group and the expression was significantly correlated with fasting blood glucose levels. The ratios of p-IRS to IRS and p-Akt to Akt in liver tissue and the ratio of p-Akt to Akt in adipose tissue as well as the expression level of GLUT4 increased significantly after inulin treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism by inulin was to activate glucose transport through the translocation of GLUT4 which was mediated by insulin signaling pathway repairment due to decreased expression of RETN and enhanced phosphorylation of IRS and Akt in GDM mice.

Omnifarious fruit polyphenols: an omnipotent strategy to prevent and intervene diabetes and related complication?

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome which cannot be cured. Recently, considerable interest has been focused on food ingredients to prevent and intervene in complications of diabetes. Polyphenolic compounds are one of the bioactive phytochemical constituents with various biological activities, which have drawn increasing interest in human health. Fruits are part of the polyphenol sources in daily food consumption. Fruit-derived polyphenols possess the anti-diabetic activity that has already been proved either from in vitro studies or in vivo studies. The mechanisms of fruit polyphenols in treating diabetes and related complications are under discussion. This is a comprehensive review on polyphenols from the edible parts of fruits, including those from citrus, berries, apples, cherries, mangoes, mangosteens, pomegranates, and other fruits regarding their potential benefits in preventing and treating diabetes mellitus. The signal pathways of characteristic polyphenols derived from fruits in reducing high blood glucose and intervening hyperglycemia-induced diabetic complications were summarized.

Pancreatic islet cells disarray, apoptosis, and proliferation in obese mice. The role of Semaglutide treatment

There are significant injuries of pancreatic islets due to obesity and insulin resistance. Therefore, GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide might benefit the islet structural remodeling and its endocrine function in diet-induced obese mice. One-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were allotted into two dietary groups (n = 60/group) and fed for 16 weeks a control diet (C) or a high‒fat diet (HF). Then, for an additional four weeks, the main groups were resampled to include treatment (Semaglutide, S, 40 μg/kg), or paired feed with the treated group (PF), totaling six groups (n = 20/group): C, CS, CPF, HF, HFS, HFPF. Biochemistry, stereology, immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and RT-qPCR were used in the study. The mouse model reproduced metabolism and bodily changes due to diet-induced obesity. Pancreatic islet hypertrophy was observed with alpha- and beta-cell remodeling, cell disarray, and apoptosis. Semaglutide increased islet cell proliferation and recovered islet size and alpha- and beta-cell masses. The changes include recovery of glucose and hormone levels, reduction of pro-inflammatory markers, improvement of pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2), v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A (MAF-A), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) -gamma. In conclusion, damage to the pancreatic islet caused by insulin resistance and the attempt to adapt the islet of obese mice involved different pathways, especially the pro-inflammatory pathway, PDX1, and PPAR-alpha and gamma. Semaglutide showed beneficial effects on these pathways, reducing the lesion on the islet. However, the weight loss influence of Semaglutide was of little relevance in the pancreatic islet.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Iridoid and Anthocyanin Extract Enhances PPAR-α, PPAR-γ Expression and Reduces I/M Ratio in Aorta, Increases LXR-α Expression and Alters Adipokines and Triglycerides Levels in Cholesterol-Rich Diet Rabbit Model

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruits possess potential cardiovascular, lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic bioactivities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of resin-purified cornelian cherry extract rich in iridoids and anthocyanins on several transcription factors, intima/media ratio in aorta and serum parameters, which determine or are valuable indicators of the adverse changes observed in the course of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. For this purpose, male New Zealand rabbits were fed a diet enriched in 1% cholesterol for 60 days. Additionally, one group received 10 mg/kg b.w. of cornelian cherry extract and the second group 50 mg/kg b.w. of cornelian cherry extract. PPAR-α and PPAR-γ expression in the aorta, LXR-α expression in the liver; cholesterol, triglycerides, adipokines, apolipoproteins, glucose and insulin levels in serum; the intima and media diameter in the thoracic and abdominal aorta were determined. Administration of cornelian cherry extract resulted in an enhancement in the expression of all tested transcription factors, a decrease in triglycerides, leptin and resistin, and an increase in adiponectin levels. In addition, a significant reduction in the I/M ratio was observed for both the thoracic and abdominal aorta. The results we have obtained confirm the potential contribution of cornelian cherry extract to mitigation of the risk of developing and the intensity of symptoms of obesity-related cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis or metabolic syndrome.

Therapeutic Targets for Phenolic Compounds from Agro-industrial Byproducts against Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is considered as a global epidemic worldwide. This disorder is associated to several health effects such as metabolic disturbances that need both prevention and treatment actions. In this sense, bioactive secondary metabolites can be obtained from cheap sources such as agro-industrial waste providing a sustainable alternative against obesity. Among these secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds present a common chemical structure core with different substitutions that provides them biological properties such as antioxidant, inflammatory, anti-aging capacities.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to compile anti-obesity therapeutic targets for phenolic compounds from agro-industrial byproducts.

METHOD

Scientific information has been obtained from different databases such as Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar in order to select the available full text studies in last years.

RESULTS

This review shows that peel, seed, pomace and other byproducts from agro-industry have different effects inhibiting enzymes related to lipid or glucose metabolism and modulating biomarkers, genes and gut microbiota in animal models.

CONCLUSION

Revalorizing actions of agro-industrial byproducts in the prevention or treatment of obesity or associated disorders can be considered to develop new high value products that act on lipid, glucose and energy metabolisms, oxidative stress, inflammation, adipose tissue or gut microbiota. However, further human studies are need in order to stablish the optimal administration parameters.

Antioxidant properties of anthocyanins and their mechanism of action in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis develops due to lipid accumulation in the arterial wall and sclerosis as result of increased hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, lipid oxidation, and protein oxidation. However, improving antioxidant status through diet may prevent the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is believed that polyphenol-rich plants contribute to the inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and chronic disease. Anthocyanins are flavonoid polyphenols with antioxidant properties that have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The consumption of anthocyanins increases total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant defense enzymes, and HDL antioxidant properties by several measures in preclinical and clinical populations. Anthocyanins appear to impart antioxidant actions via direct antioxidant properties, as well as indirectly via inducing intracellular Nrf2 activation and antioxidant gene expression. These actions counter oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling in cells present in atherosclerotic plaques, including macrophages and endothelial cells. Overall, anthocyanins may protect against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through their effects on cellular antioxidant status, oxidative stress, and inflammation; however, their underlying mechanisms of action appear to be complex and require further elucidation.

Anthocyanin-rich fraction from black rice, Oryza sativa L. var. indica "Luem Pua," bran extract attenuates kidney injury induced by high-fat diet involving oxidative stress and apoptosis in obese rats

Obesity is acknowledged as being a world health problem and increases the risk of several chronic diseases including chronic kidney disease. High-fat diet consumption and obesity-related renal disease show a close correlation with increased oxidative stress. Black rice bran extract, (BRE) Oryza sativa L. variety "Luem Pua" contains a high anthocyanin content. This study evaluated the effects of an anthocyanin-rich fraction from BRE on renal function and oxidative stress in obese rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HF) for 16 weeks. After this, the rats were given either vehicle (HF), BRE 100 (HF100) or BRE 200 mg/kg/day (HF200) orally for 8 weeks. The HF rats had increased body weight, visceral fat weight, plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. These parameters were normalized following HF100 administration and showed a decreasing trend with HF200. Serum creatinine and renal cortical MDA were increased in the HF group but these effects were attenuated by BRE. Negative kidney injury and histopathology changes were observed following a HF, but treatment with BRE reversed these deleterious effects. These results suggest that BRE could be used as a food supplement to improve metabolic disturbance and prevent kidney dysfunction in cases of obesity.

Anthocyanins: Promising Natural Products with Diverse Pharmacological Activities

Anthocyanins are natural products that give color to plants. As natural plant pigments, anthocyanins also have a series of health-promoting benefits. Many researchers have proved that anthocyanins have therapeutic effects on diseases, such as circulatory, nervous, endocrine, digestive, sensory, urinary and immune systems. Additionally, a large number of studies have reported that anthocyanins have an anticancer effect through a wide range of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The anti-disease impact and mechanism of anthocyanins are diverse, so they have high research value. This review summarizes the research progress of anthocyanins on the pharmacological agents of different diseases to provide references for subsequent research.

Effects of phytonutrient-supplemented diets on the intestinal microbiota of Cyprinus carpio

In the aquaculture sector, a strategy for the more efficient use of resources and proper disease control is needed to overcome the challenges of meat production worldwide. Modulation of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota is a promising approach for promoting animal health and preventing infection. This feeding experiment was conducted to discover the phytonutrient-induced changes in the gastrointestinal tract microbiota of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Acclimatized animals aged 7 months (30 weeks) were divided randomly into five experimental groups to investigate the effects of the applied feed additives. The dietary supplements were manufactured from anthocyanin-containing processing wastes from the food industry, specifically the production of Hungarian sour cherry extract, synbiotics from fermented corn, and fermentable oligosaccharides from Hungarian sweet red pepper seeds and carotenoids from Hungarian sweet red pepper pulps, applied at a dose of 1%. The gut contents of the animals were collected at four time points throughout the 6-week study period. To track the compositional and diversity changes in the microbiota of the carp intestinal tract, V3-V4 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic sequencing was performed. The growth performance of common carp juveniles was not significantly affected by supplementation of the basal diet with plant extracts. Phytonutrients improve the community diversity, increase the Clostridium and Lactobacillus abundances and decrease the abundances of potentially pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, such as Shewanella, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas. The phyla Proteobacteria, Tenericutes and Chlamydiae were positively correlated with the body weight, whereas Spirochaetes and Firmicutes exhibited negatively correlations with the body weight. We hypothesize that the application of phytonutrients in aquaculture settings might be a reasonable green approach for easing the usage of antibiotics.

Effects of high fat diets and supplemental tart cherry and fish oil on obesity and type 2 diabetes in male and female C57BL/6J and TALLYHO/Jng mice

Obesogenic and diabetogenic high fat (HF) diets can influence genetic factors in disease development with sexual dimorphic responses. We investigated potential protective effects of tart cherry (TC), fish oil (FO) and TC+FO supplementation in TALLYHO/Jng (TH) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice fed HF diets. Male and female TH and B6 mice were weaned onto five different diets; low fat (LF), HF, and HF supplemented with TC, FO, or TC+FO and maintained. For both males and females on LF, TH mice were heavier and fatter than B6, which was accentuated by HF in males, but not in females. TH males, but not others, developed severe glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia on HF, with reduced mRNA levels of Adipoq and Esr1 in adipose tissue. Considering energy balance, locomotor activity was lower in TH mice than B6 for both sexes without diet effects, except B6 females where HF decreased it. Compared to LF, HF decreased energy expenditure, RER, and food intake (in grams) for both sexes without strain differences. In all mice, but B6 males, HF increased plasma IL6 levels compared to LF. No preventive effects of TC, FO or TC+FO were noted for HF-induced obesity or energy imbalance, but FO alleviated glucose intolerance in TH males. Further, TC and FO decreased plasma IL6 levels, especially in females, without additive or synergistic effects of these two. Collectively, obesogenic and diabetogenic impacts of HF diets differed depending on the genetic predisposition. Moreover, sexually dimorphic effects of dietary supplementation were observed for glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers.

Tart Cherry Juice and Seeds Affect Pro-Inflammatory Markers in Visceral Adipose Tissue of High-Fat Diet Obese Rats

BACKGROUND

Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) are a rich source of anthocyanins. They are phytochemical flavonoids found in red and blue fruits, and vegetables that can reduce hyperlipidemia. Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) has emerged as a major player in driving obesity-related inflammatory response.

METHODS

This study has investigated the potential positive effects of tart cherries on rats with Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO). In particular, the inflammatory status in retroperitoneal (RPW) and perigonadal (PGW) adipose tissue were studied. Rats were fed ad libitum for 17 weeks with a hypercaloric diet with the supplementation of tart cherries seeds powder (DS) and seeds powder plus tart cherries juice containing 1mg of anthocyanins (DJS). In RPW and PGW, expression of CRP, IL-1 β, TNF-α, CCL2 and CD36, were measured by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry techniques.

RESULTS

No differences in the weight of RPW and PGW animals were found between DS and DJS groups compared to DIO rats. However, an increase of inflammatory markers was observed in DIO group in comparison with control lean rats. A modulation of these markers was evident upon tart cherry supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Study results suggest that tart cherry enriched-diet did not modify the accumulation of visceral fat, but it decreased inflammatory markers in both tissues. Therefore, this supplementation could be useful, in combination with healthy lifestyles, to modify adipose tissue cell metabolism limiting-obesity related organ damage.

Nutraceuticals Induced Changes in the Broiler Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiota

Effects of nutraceuticals on the intestinal microbiota are receiving increased attention; however, there are few studies investigating their effects on broiler meat production. The aim of this study was to implement feeding strategies and carry out a comprehensive trial examining the interplay between natural biologically active compounds such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, fermentable oligosaccharides, and synbiotics and the gastrointestinal tract microbiota. Our feeding program was applied to an intensive production system with a flock of 1,080 Ross 308 broilers. Aging induced significant changes through the feeding experiment. Nutraceuticals were shown to modulate broiler intestinal diversity and differentially enriched Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Campylobacter, and Streptococcus in the core microbiome during the different stages of broiler rearing. Additionally, they did not remarkably affect animal growth performance; nevertheless, a positive correlation was found between body weight and Corynebacteriales and Pseudomonadales. Furthermore, a diet high in carotenoid, fermentable oligosaccharide, and anthocyanin contents affected the number of beneficial genera such as Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Ruminococcus. With this comprehensive trial, we revealed that nutraceuticals induced modulations in broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. We believe that plant-derived immunostimulants, recycled from plant food waste products, can supplement antibiotic-free broiler meat production.

IMPORTANCE In this trial, nutraceuticals were manufactured from waste products of food industry processing of Hungarian red sweet pepper and sour cherry and incorporated into the diet of poultry to investigate their effects on broilers’ growth and the broiler gastrointestinal tract microbiota. To avoid the generation of food waste products, we believe that this approach can be developed into a sustainable, green approach that can be implemented in commercial antibiotic-free poultry to provide safe and high-quality meat.

Effects of tart cherry and its metabolites on aging and inflammatory conditions: Efficacy and possible mechanisms

Inflammation is an underlying cause of or a contributing factor to a number of chronic conditions, including hypertension, insulin resistance, arthritis, and cognitive disorders. A chronic inflammatory state is also associated with aging. Tart cherry (TC) has been extensively studied for its ability to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases and their associated risk factors. TC contains active compounds, including polyphenols that may contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammatory signaling pathways regulate the recruitment of inflammatory cells important for the pathogenesis of disease. Whole TC, individual compounds, and their metabolites may be viable treatment options because they can target molecules involved in inflammatory pathways. In this review, the effectiveness of TC in reducing inflammatory markers associated with chronic diseases and the effects of the active compounds in TC and their metabolites on inflammatory pathways are discussed. The main polyphenols present in TC include cyanidins, kaempferol, quercetin, melatonin, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3-coumaroylquinic acid. Evidence supports an association between TC intake and reduced risk for inflammatory disease, which may be due to the effects of active compounds in TC on inflammatory pathways, such as NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) dietary supplement modulates visceral adipose tissue CB1 mRNA levels along with other adipogenesis-related genes in rat models of diet-induced obesity

PURPOSE

There is increasing evidence for the involvement of dietary bioactive compounds in the cross-talk modulation of endocannabinoid system and some of the key regulators of transcriptional control for adipogenesis.

METHODS

We aimed to characterize the expression of cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptors and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) along with selected adipogenesis-related genes (PPARγ, SREBP-1c and PREF-1), adipocyte-secreted factors (leptin and adiponectin), mitochondrial bioenergetic modulators (PGC-1A and UCP-2), and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and 2 (TRPV2) channels in visceral adipose tissue of rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) containing either tart cherry seeds alone or tart cherry seeds and juice for 17 weeks. The visceral adipose tissue was weighed and checked the expression of different markers by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Tart cherry supplements were able to downregulate the HFD-induced mRNA expression of CB1 receptor, SREBP-1c, PPARγ, leptin, TRPV1 and TRPV2 resulting in potential anti-adipogenic effects.

CONCLUSION

The present study points out that the intake of bioactive constituents of tart cherry may attenuate the effect of adipogenesis by acting directly on the adipose tissue and modulating the interplay between CB1, PPARγ and TRPV channel gene transcription.

Associations of TG/HDL Ratio with the Risk of Prediabetes and Diabetes in Chinese Adults: A Chinese Population Cohort Study Based on Open Data

BACKGROUND

In the global chronic diseases, type 2 diabetes shows a significant upward trend, and there are more people before prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance). Many patients with impaired glucose tolerance and undiagnosed diabetes do not know that their glucose metabolism system has been in a state of disorder. Every year, about 5% to 10% of prediabetics develop diabetes. One of the important achieving factors may be the increase in blood lipids. However, it is not clear whether the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in the Chinese population. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein and impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in the Chinese population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the health screening program. The study included 116,855 participants from 32 locations in China, all of whom were adults over 20. Participants measured fasting blood glucose levels at each visit and collected information about their diabetes history. Impaired glucose tolerance was diagnosed as fasting blood glucose ≥6.00 mmol and self-reported diabetes mellitus. The patient was measured on the date of diagnosis or on his last visit (whichever comes first).

RESULTS

The results showed that, after adjusting the potential confounding factors, the ratio of TG/HDL was positively correlated with the occurrence of prediabetes and diabetes, and there was a saturation effect. The inflection points were 1.04 and 1.33, respectively. The effect value and 95% confidence interval before and after the inflection point of impaired glucose tolerance patients were 1.57 and (1.42, 1.73) and 1.03 and (1.01, 1.05), respectively. The effect value and 95% confidence interval before and after the inflection point in patients with diabetes were 2.07 and (1.80, 2.39) and 1.08 and (1.04, 1.12).

The Impact of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract from the Berries of Aronia melanocarpa L. on Collagen Metabolism in the Liver: A Study in an In Vivo Model of Human Environmental Exposure to Cadmium

This study examined whether a polyphenol-rich extract from the berries of Aronia melanocarpa L. (AE; chokeberries) may protect from the impact of cadmium (Cd) on the metabolism of collagen in the liver. The study was conducted in an experimental model (rats that were fed a diet containing 1 or 5 mg Cd/kg for 3-24 months) of human exposure to this xenobiotic during a lifetime. The concentration of total collagen and the expression of collagen types I and III at the mRNA and protein levels, as well as the concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-2) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), were assayed. The administration of Cd and/or AE had only a slight and temporary impact on the concentration of total collagen in the liver. The supplementation with AE significantly prevented Cd-mediated changes in the expression of collagen types I and III at the mRNA and protein levels and their ratio (collagen III/collagen I), as well as a rise in the concentrations of MMPs and TIMPs in this organ. The results allow the conclusion that the intake of chokeberry products in the case of Cd intoxication may be effective in prevention from this xenobiotic-induced disturbance in collagen homeostasis in the liver.

The role of anthocyanins as antidiabetic agents: from molecular mechanisms to in vivo and human studies

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose concentration. Nowadays, type 2 diabetes or insulin resistant diabetes is the most common diabetes, mainly due to unhealthy lifestyle. Healthy habits like appropriate nutritional approaches or the consumption of certain natural products or food supplements have been suggested as non-pharmacological strategies for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Some of the main bioactive compounds from plant foods are polyphenols, important mainly for their antioxidant capacity in oxidative stress conditions and ageing. Anthocyanins are polyphenols of the flavonoid group, which act as pigments in plants, especially in fruits such as berries. A search of in vitro, in vivo and human studies in relation with antidiabetic properties of anthocyanins has been performed in different electronic databases. Results of this review demonstrate that these compounds have the ability to inhibit different enzymes as well as to influence gene expression and metabolic pathways of glucose, such as AMPK, being able to modulate diabetes and other associated disorders, as hyperlipidaemia, overweight, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, human interventional studies have shown that high doses of anthocyanins have potential in the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes; nevertheless, anthocyanins used in these studies should be standardized and quantified in order to make general conclusions about its use and to claim benefits for the human population.

The Influence of Supplementation of Anthocyanins on Obesity-Associated Comorbidities: A Concise Review

Anthocyanins are water-soluble plant pigments, and based on their chemical structure (nature, position, and the number of sugar moieties attached; the number of hydroxyl groups; acylation of sugars with acids) about 635 different anthocyanins have been identified and reported from plants. Cyanidin, peonidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and malvidin are the commonly found anthocyanidins (aglycon forms of anthocyanins) in edible plants out of almost 25 anthocyanidins that are identified (based on the position of methoxyl and hydroxyl groups in the rings) in nature. Anthocyanins are known for numerous health benefits including anti-diabetes, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory bowel disease, anti-cancer, etc. Obesity can be defined as excessive or abnormal adipose tissue and body mass, which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, etc. The manuscript summarizes the recent updates in the effects of anthocyanins supplementation on the health status of obese subjects, and briefly the results of in vitro and in vivo studies. Several studies confirmed that the consumption of anthocyanins-rich food improved obesity-associated dysbiosis in gut microbiota and inflammation in adipose tissue. Anthocyanin consumption prevents obesity in healthy subjects, and aids in maintaining or reducing the body weight of obese subjects, also improving the metabolism and energy balance. Though preclinical studies proved the beneficial effects of anthocyanins such as the fact that daily intake of anthocyanin rich fruits and vegetables might aid weight maintenance in every healthy individual, Juҫara pulp might control the inflammatory status of obesity, Queen garnet plum juice reduced the blood pressure and risk factors associated with metabolic disorders, and highbush organic blueberries improved the metabolism of obese individuals, we don't have an established treatment procedure to prevent or manage the over-weight condition and its comorbidities. Thus, further studies on the optimum dose, duration, and mode of supplementation of anthocyanins are required to develop an anthocyanins-based clinical procedure.

Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

The accumulation of adipose tissue increases the risk of several diseases. The fruits-intake, containing phytochemicals, is inversely correlated with their development. This study evaluated the effects of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats. DIO rats were exposed to a high-fat diet with the supplementation of tart cherry seeds powder (DS) and seed powder plus juice (DJS). After 17 weeks, the DIO rats showed an increase of body weight, glycaemia, insulin, and systolic blood pressure. In the DS and DJS groups, there was a decrease of systolic blood pressure, glycaemia, triglycerides, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in the serum. In the DJS rats, computed tomography revealed a decrease in the spleen-to-liver attenuation ratio. Indeed, sections of the DIO rats presented hepatic injury characterized by steatosis, which was lower in the supplemented groups. In the liver of the DIO compared with rats fed with a standard diet (CHOW), a down-regulation of the GRP94 protein expression and a reduction of LC3- II/LC3-I ratio were found, indicating endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired autophagy flux. Interestingly, tart cherry supplementation enhanced both unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy. This study suggests that tart cherry supplementation, although it did not reduce body weight in the DIO rats, prevented its related risk factors and liver steatosis.