Role of Flavonoids in the Interactions among Obesity, Inflammation, and Autophagy

Abstract

Nowadays, obesity is considered as one of the main concerns for public health worldwide, since it encompasses up to 39% of overweight and 13% obese (WHO) adults. It develops because of the imbalance in the energy intake/expenditure ratio, which leads to excess nutrients and results in dysfunction of adipose tissue. The hypertrophy of adipocytes and the nutrients excess trigger the induction of inflammatory signaling through various pathways, among others, an increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, and stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). A better understanding of obesity and preventing its complications are beneficial for obese patients on two facets: treating obesity, and treating and preventing the pathologies associated with it. Hitherto, therapeutic itineraries in most cases are based on lifestyle modifications, bariatric surgery, and pharmacotherapy despite none of them have achieved optimal results. Therefore, diet can play an important role in the prevention of adiposity, as well as the associated disorders. Recent results have shown that flavonoids intake have an essential role in protecting against oxidative damage phenomena, and presents biochemical and pharmacological functions beneficial to human health. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the anti-inflammatory actions and autophagic flux of natural flavonoids, and their molecular mechanisms for preventing and/or treating obesity.

Does Flavonoid Consumption Improve Exercise Performance? Is It Related to Changes in the Immune System and Inflammatory Biomarkers? A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies since 2005

“…Related to these or other properties, flavonoid intakes have been associated with numerous health-promoting physiological benefits for cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, aging, obesity, etc. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. For this reason, a wide range of human intervention studies has been developed, and the results offer promising applications in the prevention of several disorders.…”

Diet-Derived Antioxidants and Their Role in Inflammation, Obesity and Gut Microbiota Modulation

“…Flavonoids also stimulate autophagy, a cellular function that allows aged and altered structures to be removed, which plays an important role in lowering inflammation, which is worsened by aging and obesity [ 57 ].…”

The Potential Neuroprotective Role of Free and Encapsulated Quercetin Mediated by miRNA against Neurological Diseases

“…Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid in vegetables and fruits such as onions, broccoli, berries, grapefruit, apple, black and green tea, red grapes, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and beans [ 6 , 7 ]. The required human dietary intake of all flavonoids is estimated between 200 and 350 mg/day, while the normal daily ingestion of flavanols varies from 20 to 35 mg, of which quercetin accounts for nearly 50%, with a daily consumption of about 10 mg/day [ 8 , 9 ]. However, the ingested amount with the diet is subject to many variables essentially the plant composition, dietary habits, age and other factors.…”