Photoperiod-Dependent Effects on Blood Biochemical Markers of Phenolic-Enriched Fruit Extracts.

Fruits are rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, and their intake is associated with health benefits, although recent animal studies have suggested that the photoperiod of consumption influences their properties. Fruit loss and waste are critical issues that can be reduced by obtaining functional fruit extracts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain phenolic-enriched extracts from eight seasonal fruits that can modulate blood biochemical parameters and to investigate whether their effects depend on the photoperiod of consumption. Eight ethanol-based extracts were obtained and characterized, and their effects were studied in F344 rats exposed to short (6 h light, L6) and long (18 h light) photoperiods. Cherry and apricot extracts decreased blood triacylglyceride levels only when consumed under the L6 photoperiod. Pomegranate, grape, and orange extracts reduced cholesterol and fasting glucose levels during the L6 photoperiod; however, plum extract reduced fasting glucose levels only during the L18 photoperiod. The results showed the importance of photoperiod consumption in the effectiveness of phenolic-enriched fruit extracts and promising evidence regarding the use of some of the developed fruit extracts as potential functional ingredients for the management of several blood biomarkers.

Photoperiod-Dependent Effects of Grape-Seed Proanthocyanidins on Adipose Tissue Metabolic Markers in Healthy Rats.

SCOPE: Variations in photoperiod patterns drive metabolic adaptations in mammals, involving important changes in body weight and adiposity. Moreover, (poly)phenols can help heterotrophs adopt metabolic adaptations to face the upcoming environmental conditions. Particularly, proanthocyanidins from grape-seeds show photoperiod-dependent effects on different metabolic parameters. The present study aims to explore whether grape-seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) consumption differently affects the expression of metabolic markers in WAT (subcutaneous and visceral depots) and BAT in a photoperiod-dependent manner. METHODS AND RESULTS: GSPE (25 mg kg-1  day-1 ) is orally administrated for 4 weeks to healthy rats exposed to three photoperiods (L6, L12, and L18). In WAT, GSPE consumption significantly upregulates the expression of lipolytic genes in all photoperiods, being accompanied by increased serum concentrations of glycerol and corticosterone only under the L6 photoperiod. Moreover, adiponectin mRNA levels are significantly upregulated in response to GSPE regardless of the photoperiod, whereas Tnfα and Il6 expression are only downregulated in L6 and L18 photoperiods but not in L12. In BAT, GSPE upregulates Pgc1α expression in all groups, whereas the expression of Pparα is only increased in L18. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that GSPE modulates the expression of important metabolic markers of WAT and BAT in a photoperiod-dependent manner.

Vitis vinifera L. Bioactive Components Modulate Adipose Tissue Metabolic Markers of Healthy Rats in a Photoperiod-Dependent Manner.

SCOPE: The beneficial health effects of (poly)phenol-rich foods such as red grapes mainly depend on both the type and concentration of (poly)phenols. Since fruit (poly)phenol content is influenced by growing conditions, the study examines the seasonal effects of red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), grown under various cultivation conditions, on metabolic markers of adipose tissue in healthy rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: For this purpose, Fischer 344 rats are exposed into three different light-dark cycles and daily supplemented with 100 mg kg-1 of either conventionally or organically grown red grapes for 10 weeks (n = 6). Seasonal consumption of organic grapes (OGs), which are richer in anthocyanins, increases energy expenditure (EE) of animals exposed to long photoperiod and enhances uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) protein expression in brown adipose tissue of animals under standard photoperiod. Additionally, red grape consumption affects the gene expression profile of white adipose tissue (WAT), upregulating browning markers of subcutaneous WAT in 12 h light (L12) and 18 h light (L18) photoperiods, and downregulating adipogenic and lipolytic markers of visceral WAT in 6 h light (L6) and L12 photoperiods. CONCLUSIONS: These results clearly show that bioactive compounds of grapes can modulate the metabolic markers of white and brown adipose tissues in a photoperiod and depot-dependent manner, partly affecting EE when consumed out of season.

Grape-Seed Proanthocyanidins Modulate Adipose Tissue Adaptations to Obesity in a Photoperiod-Dependent Manner in Fischer 344 Rats.

Seasonal rhythms drive metabolic adaptations that influence body weight and adiposity. Adipose tissue is a key regulator of energy homeostasis in the organism, and its healthiness is needed to prevent the major consequences of overweight and obesity. In this context, supplementation with proanthocyanidins has been postulated as a potential strategy to prevent the alterations caused by obesity. Moreover, the effects of these (poly)phenols on metabolism are photoperiod dependent. In order to describe the impact of grape-seed proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE) on important markers of adipose tissue functionality under an obesogenic environment, we exposed Fischer 344 rats to three different photoperiods and fed them a cafeteria diet for five weeks. Afterwards, we supplemented them with 25 mg GSPE/kg/day for four weeks. Our results revealed that GSPE supplementation prevented excessive body weight gain under a long photoperiod, which could be explained by increased lipolysis in the adipose tissue. Moreover, cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) serum concentrations were restored by GSPE under standard photoperiod. GSPE consumption slightly helped combat the obesity-induced hypertrophy in adipocytes, and adiponectin mRNA levels were upregulated under all photoperiods. Overall, the administration of GSPE helped reduce the impact of obesity in the adipose tissue, depending on the photoperiod at which GSPE was consumed and on the type of adipose depots.

Photoperiodic Remodeling of Adiposity and Energy Metabolism in Non-Human Mammals.

Energy homeostasis and metabolism in mammals are strongly influenced by seasonal changes. Variations in photoperiod patterns drive adaptations in body weight and adiposity, reflecting changes in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Humans also show distinct patterns of energy balance depending on the season, being more susceptible to gaining weight during a specific time of the year. Changes in body weight are mainly reflected by the adipose tissue, which is a key metabolic tissue and is highly affected by circannual rhythms. Mostly, in summer-like (long-active) photoperiod, adipocytes adopt a rather anabolic profile, more predisposed to store energy, while food intake increases and energy expenditure is reduced. These metabolic adaptations involve molecular modifications, some of which have been studied during the last years and are summarized in this review. In addition, there is a bidirectional relation between obesity and the seasonal responses, with obesity disrupting some of the seasonal responses observed in healthy mammals, and altered seasonality being highly associated with increased risk of developing obesity. This suggests that changes in photoperiod produce important metabolic alterations in healthy organisms. Biological rhythms impact the regulation of metabolism to different extents, some of which are already known, but further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between energy balance and seasonality.

Reduction of Obesity and Insulin Resistance through Dual Targeting of VAT and BAT by a Novel Combination of Metabolic Cofactors.

Obesity is an epidemic disease worldwide, characterized by excessive fat accumulation associated with several metabolic perturbations, such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. To improve this situation, a specific combination of metabolic cofactors (MC) (betaine, N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, and nicotinamide riboside) was assessed as a promising treatment in a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model. Obese animals were distributed into two groups, orally treated with the vehicle (obese + vehicle) or with the combination of metabolic cofactors (obese + MC) for 4 weeks. Body and adipose depots weights; insulin and glucose tolerance tests; indirect calorimetry; and thermography assays were performed at the end of the intervention. Histological analysis of epidydimal white adipose tissue (EWAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) was carried out, and the expression of key genes involved in both fat depots was characterized by qPCR. We demonstrated that MC supplementation conferred a moderate reduction of obesity and adiposity, an improvement in serum glucose and lipid metabolic parameters, an important improvement in lipid oxidation, and a decrease in adipocyte hypertrophy. Moreover, MC-treated animals presented increased adipose gene expression in EWAT related to lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, MC supplementation reduced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, with an increased expression of the glucose transporter Glut4; and decreased fat accumulation in BAT, raising non-shivering thermogenesis. This treatment based on a specific combination of metabolic cofactors mitigates important pathophysiological characteristics of obesity, representing a promising clinical approach to this metabolic disease.

Microbiota Dysbiosis and Gut Barrier Dysfunction Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Are Modulated by a Specific Metabolic Cofactors' Combination.

The gut is a selective barrier that not only allows the translocation of nutrients from food, but also microbe-derived metabolites to the systemic circulation that flows through the liver. Microbiota dysbiosis occurs when energy imbalances appear due to an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Dysbiosis has a critical impact on increasing intestinal permeability and epithelial barrier deterioration, contributing to bacterial and antigen translocation to the liver, triggering non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. In this study, the potential therapeutic/beneficial effects of a combination of metabolic cofactors (a multi-ingredient; MI) (betaine, N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, and nicotinamide riboside) against NAFLD were evaluated. In addition, we investigated the effects of this metabolic cofactors' combination as a modulator of other players of the gut-liver axis during the disease, including gut barrier dysfunction and microbiota dysbiosis. Diet-induced NAFLD mice were distributed into two groups, treated with the vehicle (NAFLD group) or with a combination of metabolic cofactors (NAFLD-MI group), and small intestines were harvested from all animals for histological, molecular, and omics analysis. The MI treatment ameliorated gut morphological changes, decreased gut barrier permeability, and reduced gene expression of some proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, epithelial cell proliferation and the number of goblet cells were increased after MI supplementation. In addition, supplementation with the MI combination promoted changes in the intestinal microbiota composition and diversity, as well as modulating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations in feces. Taken together, this specific combination of metabolic cofactors can reverse gut barrier disruption and microbiota dysbiosis contributing to the amelioration of NAFLD progression by modulating key players of the gut-liver axis.

The effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins in cafeteria diet-induced obese Fischer 344 rats are influenced by faecal microbiota in a photoperiod dependent manner.

Polyphenols are of high interest due to their beneficial health effects, including anti-obesity properties. The gut microbiota may play an important role in polyphenol-mediated effects as these bacteria are significantly involved in the metabolism of polyphenols. Moreover, seasonal rhythms have been demonstrated to influence both the gut microbiota composition and polyphenol bioavailability. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of photoperiods and microbiota on polyphenol functionality in an obesogenic context. Towards this aim, cafeteria diet-fed Fischer 344 rats were housed under three different photoperiod conditions (L6: 6 h of light, L12: 12 h of light and L18: 18 h of light) for 9 weeks. During the last 4 weeks of the experiment, rats were daily administered with an oral dose of a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) (25 mg per kg body weight). Additionally, rats treated with GSPE and an antibiotic cocktail (ABX) in their drinking water were included for a better understanding of the gut microbiota role in GSPE functionality. Vehicle and non-ABX treated rats were included as controls. GSPE decreased body weight gain and fat depots only under L18 conditions. Interestingly, the gut microbiota composition was strongly altered in this photoperiod. GSPE + ABX-treated rats gained significantly less body weight compared to the rats of the rest of the treatments under L18 conditions. These results suggest that GSPE functionality is modulated by the gut microbiota in a photoperiod dependent manner. These novel findings corroborate seasonal rhythms as key factors that must be taken into account when investigating the effects of polyphenols in the treatment or prevention of chronic diseases.

Proanthocyanidins Restore the Metabolic Diurnal Rhythm of Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue According to Time-Of-Day Consumption.

Consumption of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has beneficial effects on the functionality of white adipose tissue (WAT). However, although WAT metabolism shows a clear diurnal rhythm, whether GSPE consumption could affect WAT rhythmicity in a time-dependent manner has not been studied. Ninety-six male Fischer rats were fed standard (STD, two groups) or cafeteria (CAF, four groups) diet for 9 weeks (n = 16 each group). From week 6 on, CAF diet animals were supplemented with vehicle or 25 mg GSPE/kg of body weight either at the beginning of the light/rest phase (ZT0) or at the beginning of the dark/active phase (ZT12). The two STD groups were also supplemented with vehicle at ZT0 or ZT12. In week 9, animals were sacrificed at 6 h intervals (n = 4) to analyze the diurnal rhythms of subcutaneous WAT metabolites by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. A total of 45 metabolites were detected, 19 of which presented diurnal rhythms in the STD groups. Although most metabolites became arrhythmic under CAF diet, GSPE consumption at ZT12, but not at ZT0, restored the rhythmicity of 12 metabolites including compounds involved in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. These results demonstrate that timed GSPE supplementation may restore, at least partially, the functional dynamics of WAT when it is consumed at the beginning of the active phase. This study opens an innovative strategy for time-dependent polyphenol treatment in obesity and metabolic diseases.

Grape-Seed Procyanidin Extract (GSPE) Seasonal-Dependent Modulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in the Liver of Healthy F344 Rats.

Seasonality is gaining attention in the modulation of some physiological and metabolic functions in mammals. Furthermore, the consumption of natural compounds, such as GSPE, is steadily increasing. Consequently, in order to study the interaction of seasonal variations in day length over natural compounds' molecular effects, we carried out an animal study using photo-sensitive rats which were chronically exposed for 9 weeks to three photoperiods (L6, L18, and L12) in order to mimic the day length of different seasons (winter/summer/and autumn-spring). In parallel, animals were also treated either with GSPE 25 (mg/kg) or vehicle (VH) for 4 weeks. Interestingly, a seasonal-dependent GSPE modulation on the hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism was observed. For example, some metabolic genes from the liver (SREBP-1c, Gk, Acacα) changed their expression due to seasonality. Furthermore, the metabolomic results also indicated a seasonal influence on the GSPE effects associated with glucose-6-phosphate, D-glucose, and D-ribose, among others. These differential effects, which were also reflected in some plasmatic parameters (i.e., glucose and triglycerides) and hormones (corticosterone and melatonin), were also associated with significant changes in the expression of several hepatic circadian clock genes (Bmal1, Cry1, and Nr1d1) and ER stress genes (Atf6, Grp78, and Chop). Our results point out the importance of circannual rhythms in regulating metabolic homeostasis and suggest that seasonal variations (long or short photoperiods) affect hepatic metabolism in rats. Furthermore, they suggest that procyanidin consumption could be useful for the modulation of the photoperiod-dependent changes on glucose and lipid metabolism, whose alterations could be related to metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease). Furthermore, even though the GSPE effect is not restricted to a specific photoperiod, our results suggest a more significant effect in the L18 condition.

Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins Mitigate the Disturbances Caused by an Abrupt Photoperiod Change in Healthy and Obese Rats.

Variations in the light/dark cycle and obesogenic diets trigger physiological and behavioral disorders. Proanthocyanidins, in addition to their healthy properties, have recently demonstrated a modulating effect on biological rhythms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the administration of a grape seed proanthocyanidin-rich extract (GSPE) to mitigate the disruption caused by a sudden photoperiod change in healthy and cafeteria (CAF)-diet obese rats. For this, 48 photoperiod-sensitive Fischer 344 rats were fed standard or CAF diets for 6 weeks under a standard (12 h light/day, L12) conditions. Then, rats were switched to a long (18 h light/day, L18) or short (6 h light/day, L6) photoperiod and administered vehicle or GSPE (25 mg/kg) for 1 week. Body weight (BW) and food intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Animal activity and serum hormone concentrations were studied before and after the photoperiod change. Hormone levels were measured both at 3 h (ZT3) and 15 h (ZT15) after the onset of light. Results showed the impact of the CAF diet and photoperiod on the BW, FI, activity, and hormonal status of the animals. GSPE administration resulted in an attenuation of the changes produced by the photoperiod disruption. Specifically, GSPE in L6 CAF-fed rats reduced serum corticosterone concentration, restoring its circadian rhythm, increased the T3-to-T4 ratio, and increased light phase activity, while under L18, it decreased BW and testosterone concentration and increased the animal activity. These results suggest that GSPE may contribute to the adaptation to the new photoperiods. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the metabolic pathways and processes involved in these events.

Time-of-day dependent effect of proanthocyanidins on adipose tissue metabolism in rats with diet-induced obesity.

BACKGROUND: Grape-seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) improve white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion during diet-induced obesity. However, because adipose metabolism is synchronized by circadian rhythms, it is plausible to speculate that the bioactivity of dietary proanthocyanidins could be influenced by the time-of-day in which they are consumed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the interaction between zeitgeber time (ZT) and GSPE consumption on the functionality of WAT in rats with diet-induced obesity. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were fed a cafeteria diet for 9 weeks. After 5 weeks, the animals were supplemented with 25 mg GSPE/kg for 4 weeks at the beginning of the light/rest phase (ZT0) or of the dark/active phase (ZT12). Body fat content was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance and histological analyses were performed in the epididymal (EWAT) and inguinal (IWAT) fat depots to determine adipocyte size and number. In addition, the expression of genes related to adipose metabolism and circadian clock function were analyzed by qPCR. RESULTS: GSPE consumption at ZT0 was associated with a potential antidiabetic effect without affecting adiposity and energy intake and downregulating the gene expression of inflammatory markers in EWAT. In contrast, GSPE consumption at ZT12 improved adipose tissue expansion decreasing adipocyte size in IWAT. In accordance with this adipogenic activity, the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism were downregulated at ZT12 in IWAT. In turn, GSPE consumption at ZT12, but not at ZT0, repressed the expression of the clock gene Cry1 in IWAT. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction between ZT and GSPE consumption influenced the metabolic response of WAT in a tissue-specific manner. Understanding the impact of circadian clock on adipose metabolism and how this is regulated by polyphenols will provide new insights for the management of obesity.

Cardioprotective Properties of Phenolic Compounds: A Role for Biological Rhythms.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of deaths worldwide and their prevalence is continuously increasing. Available treatments may present several side effects and therefore the development of new safer therapeutics is of interest. Phenolic compounds have shown several cardioprotective properties helpful in reducing different CVD risk factors such as inflammation, elevated blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, or endothelial dysfunction. These factors are significantly influenced by biological rhythms which are in fact emerging as key modulators of important metabolic and physiological processes. Thus, increased events of CVD have been observed under circadian rhythm disruption or in winter versus other seasons. These rhythms can also affect the functionality of phenolic compounds. Indeed, different effects have been observed depending on the administration time or under different photoperiods. Therefore, in this review the focus will be on the potential of phenolic compounds as therapeutics to prevent CVD via biological rhythm modulation.

Time-of-Day Circadian Modulation of Grape-Seed Procyanidin Extract (GSPE) in Hepatic Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cafeteria-Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Major susceptibility to alterations in liver function (e.g., hepatic steatosis) in a prone environment due to circadian misalignments represents a common consequence of recent sociobiological behavior (i.e., food excess and sleep deprivation). Natural compounds and, more concisely, polyphenols have been shown as an interesting tool for fighting against metabolic syndrome and related consequences. Furthermore, mitochondria have been identified as an important target for mediation of the health effects of these compounds. Additionally, mitochondrial function and dynamics are strongly regulated in a circadian way. Thus, we wondered whether some of the beneficial effects of grape-seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on metabolic syndrome could be mediated by a circadian modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis. For this purpose, rats were subjected to "standard", "cafeteria" and "cafeteria diet + GSPE" treatments (n = 4/group) for 9 weeks (the last 4 weeks, GSPE/vehicle) of treatment, administering the extract/vehicle at diurnal or nocturnal times (ZT0 or ZT12). For circadian assessment, one hour after turning the light on (ZT1), animals were sacrificed every 6 h (ZT1, ZT7, ZT13 and ZT19). Interestingly, GSPE was able to restore the rhythm on clock hepatic genes (Bmal1, Per2, Cry1, Rorα), as this correction was more evident in nocturnal treatment. Additionally, during nocturnal treatment, an increase in hepatic fusion genes and a decrease in fission genes were observed. Regarding mitochondrial complex activity, there was a strong effect of cafeteria diet at nearly all ZTs, and GSPE was able to restore activity at discrete ZTs, mainly in the diurnal treatment (ZT0). Furthermore, a differential behavior was observed in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolites between GSPE diurnal and nocturnal administration times. Therefore, GSPE may serve as a nutritional preventive strategy in the recovery of hepatic-related metabolic disease by modulating mitochondrial dynamics, which is concomitant to the restoration of the hepatic circadian machinery.

Recent Advances in Research on Polyphenols: Effects on Microbiota, Metabolism, and Health.

Polyphenols have attracted huge interest among researchers of various disciplines because of their numerous biological activities, such as antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic, cancer chemopreventive, anticarcinogenic, and antimicrobial properties, and their promising applications in many fields, mainly in the medical, cosmetics, dietary supplement and food industries. In this review, the latest scientific findings in the research on polyphenols interaction with the microbiome and mitochondria, their metabolism and health beneficial effects, their involvement in cognitive diseases and obesity development, as well as some innovations in their analysis, extraction methods, development of cosmetic formulations and functional food are summarized based on the papers presented at the 13th World Congress on Polyphenol Applications. Future implications of polyphenols in disease prevention and their strategic use as prophylactic measures are specifically addressed. Polyphenols may play a key role in our tomorrow´s food and nutrition to prevent many diseases.

In-Season Consumption of Locally Produced Tomatoes Decreases Cardiovascular Risk Indices.

Tomatoes are widely consumed worldwide at any time of the year. However, depending on the variety, they have a characteristic season. We evaluated the consequences metabolic of consumption of Ekstasis tomatoes from different geographical origin and in different seasons in Fischer 344 rats. The hepatic gene expression of key enzymes in lipid metabolism was also evaluated. Animals were classified in three photoperiods (L6, L12, and L18) and in three treatments (vehicle: VH; local tomato: LT; and non-local tomato: nLT). We measured serum metabolic parameters and the gene expression of liver enzymes related to lipid metabolism (Acc1, Cpt1a, Had, Fas1, Srebp-1c, Fatp5, Cd36). LT consumption in season decreased cardiovascular risk 1 and coefficient atherogenic by 1.81 (p = 0.031) and in L6 decreased TAG and glucose (p = 0.046; p = 0.024). The L18-LT animals had decreased total cholesterol (p = 0.029) and gene expression of Srebp1-c (p = 0.022) but increased expression of Acc1 (p = 0.032). The treatments significantly affected the expression of Acc1 and Fas1 in the liver and the levels of serum TAG and glucose. A significant effect of photoperiod on serum concentration of glucose, insulin, HOMA index, and on the hepatic expression of Srep1-c, Fas1, and Acc1 was observed.

Supplementation with a Specific Combination of Metabolic Cofactors Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Hepatic Fibrosis, and Insulin Resistance in Mice.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have emerged as the leading causes of chronic liver disease in the world. Obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia are multifactorial risk factors strongly associated with NAFLD/NASH. Here, a specific combination of metabolic cofactors (a multi-ingredient; MI) containing precursors of glutathione (GSH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) (betaine, N-acetyl-cysteine, L-carnitine and nicotinamide riboside) was evaluated as effective treatment for the NAFLD/NASH pathophysiology. Six-week-old male mice were randomly divided into control diet animals and animals exposed to a high fat and high fructose/sucrose diet to induce NAFLD. After 16 weeks, diet-induced NAFLD mice were distributed into two groups, treated with the vehicle (HFHFr group) or with a combination of metabolic cofactors (MI group) for 4 additional weeks, and blood and liver were obtained from all animals for biochemical, histological, and molecular analysis. The MI treatment reduced liver steatosis, decreasing liver weight and hepatic lipid content, and liver injury, as evidenced by a pronounced decrease in serum levels of liver transaminases. Moreover, animals supplemented with the MI cocktail showed a reduction in the gene expression of some proinflammatory cytokines when compared with their HFHFr counterparts. In addition, MI supplementation was effective in decreasing hepatic fibrosis and improving insulin sensitivity, as observed by histological analysis, as well as a reduction in fibrotic gene expression (Col1α1) and improved Akt activation, respectively. Taken together, supplementation with this specific combination of metabolic cofactors ameliorates several features of NAFLD, highlighting this treatment as a potential efficient therapy against this disease in humans.

Tomatoes consumed in-season prevent oxidative stress in Fischer 344 rats: impact of geographical origin.

Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) constitute an important source of health-promoting compounds including bioactive antioxidants, such as flavonoids, that can differ in terms of composition and quantity depending on the conditions that tomatoes are cultivated. Otherwise, biological rhythms modulate oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of seasonally consumed tomatoes from two different geographical origins (local LT or non-local NLT) in Fischer 344 rats. The results show that LT and NLT have a specific phenolic signature and that each tomato gives a particular response toward biomarkers evaluated, which in turn showed a photoperiod-dependent effect. Remarkably, when tomatoes were administered in-season they improved or sustained antioxidant biomarkers, thus reducing oxidative stress values. It is noteworthy that the protective effect of tomatoes against oxidative stress depends on the geographical origin of the crop. Therefore, tomatoes consumed in-season may improve health by preventing oxidative stress.

Enzyme-Assisted Extraction to Obtain Phenolic-Enriched Wine Lees with Enhanced Bioactivity in Hypertensive Rats.

The antihypertensive effect of the soluble fraction of wine lees (WL) from Cabernet variety grapes was recently reported by our group. This blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect was attributed to the presence of flavanols and anthocyanins. In this context, phenolic-enriched wine lees (PWL) could potentially exhibit a stronger bioactivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain a soluble fraction of WL with increased phenolic content and evaluate its functionality. The PWL were obtained using an enzyme-assisted extraction based on the hydrolysis of WL proteins with Flavourzyme®. They contained 57.20% more total phenolic compounds than WL, with anthocyanins and flavanols being the largest families present. In addition, PWL also showed greater angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Finally, the antihypertensive activity of the PWL was evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats. A single dose of 5 mL/kg body weight of PWL showed a greater BP-lowering effect than the one shown by WL. Moreover, this antihypertensive effect was more prolonged than the one produced by the antihypertensive drug Captopril. These results demonstrate that enzymatic protein hydrolysis is a useful method to maximize the extraction of phenolic compounds from WL and to obtain extracts with enhanced functionalities.

A multifunctional ingredient for the management of metabolic syndrome in cafeteria diet-fed rats.

The body weight-lowering properties of a multifunctional ingredient (MIX) based on conjugated linoleic acid at low doses, the flavonoids proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins and the chicken feet hydrolysate Hpp11 have been previously reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term administration of MIX on other cardiometabolic risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rats fed a cafeteria diet (CAF). Male Wistar rats were fed CAF for 11 weeks, and during the last 3 weeks, animals were orally administered MIX or vehicle. Lipid tolerance tests were performed before and after MIX administration. At the end of the experimental period, serum and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) metabolism were analyzed by metabolomics and biochemical approaches. The metabolite signature of serum and iWAT significantly changed after 3 weeks of MIX administration, suggesting an improvement in lipid and glucose homeostasis in these animals. In addition, MIX also exhibited significant antihypertensive properties. These results suggest that MIX could be a good candidate to ameliorate the cardiometabolic risk factors related to MetS.