Acute effects of an oral supplement of (−)-epicatechin on postprandial fat and carbohydrate metabolism in normal and overweight subjects

Abstract

Postprandial hyperglycemia, in particular when accompanied by excessive hypertriglyceridemia, is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, mainly in overweight or obese subjects, as it favors oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Thus, treatments that favorably modulate metabolism by reducing steep increases in postprandial serum glucose and triglycerides, are of considerable interest. Evidence suggests that (−)-epicatechin (EPI) is responsible for reductions in cardiometabolic risk associated with chocolate consumption these effects may be associated with favorable effects of EPI on postprandial metabolism. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of EPI on postprandial metabolism in normal-weight and overweight/obese subjects. Twenty adult volunteers (normal and overweight) underwent oral metabolic tolerance tests in the absence and presence of oral EPI (1 mg/kg). Metabolic responses were examined using indirect calorimetry and determining blood glucose and triglycerides at 0, 2 and 4 hours after metabolic load ingestion. Results show that EPI increased postprandial lipid catabolism, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the respiratory quotient, which implies an increase in fat oxidation. The effect was associated with significantly lower postprandial plasma glucose and triglycerides concentrations. The effects were more prominent in overweight subjects. In conclusion, EPI modulates postprandial metabolism by enhancing lipid oxidation accompanied by reductions in glycemia and triglyceridemia.

New strategies in sport nutrition to increase exercise performance

“…Following supplementation of (-)-epicatechin (1 mg/kg), participants displayed a lower RER, indicative of increased lipid oxidation. In addition, lower plasma glucose concentrations were observed following the supplementation [167]. From the available data, it would appear that cocoa-derived -(-)epicatechin is a promising ergogenic aid for increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and lipid oxidation.…”

“…A final note is that to date there have been no data to suggest that eating high quality fruit and vegetables attenuates adaptations to exercise so it may be best to advise athletes to consume a high quality diet and avoid mega dose micronutrient supplementation, it really could be that simple [164]. prandial fat metabolism in normal and overweight adults [167]. Following supplementation of (-)-epicatechin (1 mg/kg), participants displayed a lower RER, indicative of increased lipid oxidation.…”

Determining sample size for cross-over designs with multiple groups

“…We illustrate our method by determining the optimal sample size for a platycodi ratix water experiment. To determine the optimal sample size n , we used the results in Gutiérrez-Salmeán et al (2014) to determine the true effect sizes. We assumed that the fixed significance level and the desired power were 0.05 and 0.8, respectively.…”

“…In order to determine the optimal sample size, one first needs to assume the group effect sizes. However, as there had been no pilot study, the results in Gutiérrez-Salmeán et al (2014) were used, in which the triglyceride level means in blood 2 hours after a meal were 120.0, 110.0, and 100.0 mg/dL for P, L, and H groups, respectively. Under the assumption of homoscedasticity, the common variation was set at 400.0 mg/dL.…”

Dietary Strategies Implicated in the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

“…It is thought that energy expenditure is enhanced by catechol- O -methyltransferase and phosphodiesterase inhibition, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system causing an activation of the brown adipose tissue [178]. Fat oxidation is mediated by upregulation of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and peroxisomal b-oxidation enzymes [178,179]. …”