Grape seed proanthocyanidin supplementation reduces adipocyte size and increases adipocyte number in obese rats

Abstract

A Pascual-Serrano, A Arola-Arnal, S Suárez-García, FI Bravo, M Suárez, L Arola and C Bladé OBJECTIVES: White adipose tissue (WAT) expands through hypertrophy (increased adipocyte size) and/or hyperplasia (increased adipocyte number). Hypertrophy has been associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia independently of body composition and fat distribution. In contrast, hyperplasia protects against metabolic alterations. Proanthocyanidins, which are the most abundant flavonoids in the human diet, improve metabolic disturbances associated with diet-induced obesity without reducing body weight or adiposity. The aim of this study was to determine whether grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) can modulate WAT expandability. Because GSPE also contains gallic acid, we also studied the capacity of gallic acid to remodel WAT. DESIGN: Male Wistar rats were fed a standard chow diet (n = 6) or a cafeteria diet (CAF) for 11 weeks. After 8 weeks, the CAF-fed animals were supplemented with 25 mg GSPE/kg body weight (n = 6), 7 mg gallic acid/kg body weight (n = 6) or the vehicle (n = 6) for 3 weeks. Histological analyses were performed in the retroperitoneal (rWAT) and inguinal (iWAT) WAT to determine adipocyte size and number. Specific markers for adipogenesis and WAT functionality were analysed in rWAT using quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: GSPE or gallic acid supplementation did not reduce weight gain or reverse and adiposity. However, GSPE reduced adipocyte size significantly in rWAT and moderately in iWAT and tripled the adipocyte number in rWAT. Gallic acid slightly reduced adipocyte size in rWAT and iWAT and doubled the adipocyte number in both WATs. In accordance with this adipogenic activity, Pref-1 and PPARƴ tended to be overexpressed in rWAT of rats supplemented with GSPE. Moreover, GSPE supplementation increased Plin1 and Fabp4 expression and restored adiponectin expression completely, indicating a better functionality of visceral WAT. CONCLUSIONS: GSPE supplementation has anti-hypertrophic and hyperplasic activities in rats with established obesity, mainly in visceral WAT inducing a healthier expansion of WAT to match the surplus energy provided by the cafeteria diet.

Antiobesity Effects of Purple Perilla (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) on Adipocyte Differentiation and Mice Fed a High‐fat Diet

“…The images obtained by micro‐CT scanning also revealed less visceral fat (darker grey regions in the image) in the HP400 group compared to HC group, as shown in Figure (D), confirming the effect of PE. Adipocyte size is known to be an independent predictor of metabolic diseases, and adipocyte hypertrophy has been associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia (Pascual‐Serrano et al., ). Histological analysis revealed that PE supplementation reduced adipocyte hypertrophy and these results were in accordance with the serum leptin and adiponectin levels (Cui et al., ; Skurk, Alberti‐Huber, Herder, & Hauner, ).…”

miR‐96 and autophagy are involved in the beneficial effect of grape seed proanthocyanidins against high‐fat‐diet‐induced dyslipidemia in mice

“…The disadvantage is that gavage requires a large amount of prior preparation, and gavage may increase the risk of death of the animal during administration. Previous studies have reported that for HFD‐induced obese mice, the dose of GSPE range from 25 to 300 mg/kg/day, and the treatment duration range from 7 to 13 weeks (Baiges et al, ; Liu et al, ; Pascual‐Serrano et al, ). In the preliminary experiment, we tested five different doses (25, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/day) and found that only the 200 mg and 300 mg groups had significantly lower body weight than the control group at 7 weeks (data not shown).…”

Effects of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract on Obesity

“…Compared to small adipocytes, hypertrophic adipocytes are more likely to attract inflammatory cells, have more fat-soluble and insulin resistance effects, resulting in metabolic disorders. However, proliferation can prevent metabolic changes [42]. GSPE supplementation can regulate WAT in visceral and subcutaneous tissues, reduce adipocyte hypertrophy and increase adipocyte proliferation, thus improving WAT function.…”