Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and proanthocyanidins improve postprandial metabolic flexibility in rat

Abstract

Postprandial lipemia influences the development of atherosclerosis, which itself constitutes a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The introduction of bioactive compounds may prevent these deleterious effects. Proanthocyanidins are potent antioxidants that have hypolipidemic properties, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFAs) stimulate fatty acid oxidation and gene expression programs, controlling mitochondrial functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of acute treatment of ω3 PUFAs and proanthocyanidins on the metabolic flexibility and lipid handling profiles in the skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of rats that were raised on diets, high in saturated fatty acids. For this, oil rich in docosahexaenoic (DHA-OR), grape seed proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE), or both substances (GSPE + DHA-OR) were administered with an overload of lard oil to healthy Wistar rats. Our results indicate that the addition of DHA-OR to lard oil increases insulin sensitivity and redirects fatty acids toward skeletal muscle, thereby activating fatty acid oxidation. We also observed an improvement in adipose mitochondrial functionality and uncoupling. In contrast, GSPE lowers lipidemia, prevents muscle reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and damage, furthermore, activates mitochondrial biogenesis and lipogenesis in adipose tissue. The addition of GSPE+DHA-OR to lard resulted in nearly all the effects of DHA-OR and GSPE administered individually, but the combined administration resulted in a more attenuated profile.

Chronic supplementation with dietary proanthocyanidins protects from diet‐induced intestinal alterations in obese rats

“…Taken together, these findings indicate that GSPE could act as an antioxidant in the ileum of obese rats. Previous studies in our group have demonstrated these effects in other tissues and cell models . They proposed that the GSPE defense mechanisms to counteract the oxidative stress involved the modulation of antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial function, and ROS scavenging properties .…”

“…Previous studies in our group have demonstrated these effects in other tissues and cell models . They proposed that the GSPE defense mechanisms to counteract the oxidative stress involved the modulation of antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial function, and ROS scavenging properties . Further studies are needed to identify the specific antioxidant mechanisms of GSPE's modulation of intestinal oxidative stress.…”

Impact of a Standard Rodent Chow Diet on Tissue n‐6 Fatty Acids, Δ9‐Desaturation Index, and Plasmalogen Mass in Rats Fed for One Year

“…DHA upregulates expression of uncoupling protein 3, thereby reducing production of reactive oxygen species and enhancing transport and oxidation of FA in skeletal muscle [42,43]. Finally, it increases the TAG concentration and ameliorates mitochondrial metabolism [44]. Now if we consider DHA as a marker of growth or age in muscle, then its preservation would suggest full capacity of contractile function.…”

Proanthocyanidins in health and disease

“…66). However, PAs were ineffective in reducing the body weight in other studies [67,68], which suggests that the PA doses, days of administration, animal species and the experimental approach can largely affect the capacity of PAs to significantly modulate body weight.…”

“…Conversely, the up-regulation of lipolysis by PAs has been attributed to a PPAR b/d-dependent fatty acid oxidative genes via Prkaa1 gene activation in adipose tissue [69]. Cocoa [69] and grape seed [67,68] PAs also activate mitochondrial biogenesis, thus increasing the lipolytic power of cells.…”