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Impact of Dietary Flavanols on Microbiota, Immunity and Inflammation in Metabolic Diseases.
Martín, MÁ, Ramos, S
Nutrients. 2021;(3)
Abstract
Flavanols are natural occurring polyphenols abundant in fruits and vegetables to which have been attributed to beneficial effects on health, and also against metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. These positive properties have been associated to the modulation of different molecular pathways, and importantly, to the regulation of immunological reactions (pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB], inducible enzymes), and the activity of cells of the immune system. In addition, flavanols can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiome in a prebiotic-like manner, resulting in the positive regulation of metabolic pathways and immune responses, and reduction of low-grade chronic inflammation. Moreover, the biotransformation of flavanols by gut bacteria increases their bioavailability generating a number of metabolites with potential to affect human metabolism, including during metabolic diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which flavanols act on the microbiota and immune system to influence health and disease remain unclear, especially in humans where these connections have been scarcely explored. This review seeks to summarize recent advances on the complex interaction of flavanols with gut microbiota, immunity and inflammation focus on metabolic diseases.
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2.
A Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study to Examine the Effects of Maritime Pine Extract on Exercise Performance and Postexercise Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Muscle Soreness, and Damage.
Aldret, RL, Bellar, D
Journal of dietary supplements. 2020;(3):309-320
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine whether 14 days of supplementation with maritime pine extract leading up to and following an exercise test would increase performance and reduce biomarkers associated with muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The study used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Twenty apparently healthy young male participants ingested either 800 mg pine bark extract or placebo for 14 days prior to the first exercise trial and for 2 days postexercise. On the exercise day, participants submitted a pre-exercise blood sample then completed a VO2 peak test until volitional failure. A postexercise blood sample was collected 1 hour after completion of exercise. Participants returned at 24 and 48 hours after the exercise testing for measures of muscle pain in the lower body using an algometer. Participants then had a 7-day washout period before beginning to cross over to the alternate treatment. Analysis via ordinal regression demonstrated a significant difference in oxidative stress in the maritime pine extract group compared to placebo (ChiSq = 2.63; p = 0.045). Maritime pine extract was effective at affording protection from oxidative stress postexercise. Further work should be undertaken to evaluate the findings with other exercise modes or in participants with known metabolic syndrome.
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3.
Possible mechanisms of postprandial physiological alterations following flavan 3-ol ingestion.
Osakabe, N, Terao, J
Nutrition reviews. 2018;(3):174-186
Abstract
Foods rich in flavan 3-ols are known to prevent cardiovascular diseases by reducing metabolic syndrome risks, such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. However, the mechanisms involved in this reduction are unclear, particularly because of the poor bioavailability of flavan 3-ols. Recent metabolome analyses of feces produced after repeated ingestion of foods rich in flavan 3-ols may provide insight into the chronic physiological changes associated with the intake of flavan 3-ols. Substantial postprandial changes have been reported after flavan 3-ol ingestion, including hemodynamic and metabolic changes as well as autonomic and central nervous alterations. Taken together, the evidence suggests that flavan 3-ols have both postprandial and chronic effects, which could involve different or common mechanisms. In general, the accumulation of acute functional changes induces chronic physiological alteration. Therefore, this review highlights the postprandial action of flavan 3-ols in order to address the yet unknown mechanism(s) for their physiological function.
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4.
Daily Consumption of Chocolate Rich in Flavonoids Decreases Cellular Genotoxicity and Improves Biochemical Parameters of Lipid and Glucose Metabolism.
Leyva-Soto, A, Chavez-Santoscoy, RA, Lara-Jacobo, LR, Chavez-Santoscoy, AV, Gonzalez-Cobian, LN
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2018;(9)
Abstract
In recent years, the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes has increased largely worldwide. In the present work, we evaluated the genoprotective effect of the consumption of flavonoids-rich chocolate on 84 young volunteers. Biochemical indicators related to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome were also determined. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was performed in the Autonomous University of Baja California. The treatments comprised the daily consumption of either 2 g of dark chocolate containing 70% cocoa, or 2 g of milk chocolate, for 6 months. The total amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was determined in both types of chocolate. Anthropometrical and Biochemical parameters were recorded prior to and after the study. The evaluation of the genotoxicity in buccal epithelial cells was performed throughout the duration of the study. Flavonoids from cocoa in dark chocolate significantly prevented DNA damage, and improved the nucleus integrity of cells. This effect could be related to the antioxidant capacity of the dark chocolate that decreased cellular stress. Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol level in blood) and anthropometrical parameters (waist circumference) were improved after six months of daily intake of 2 g of dark chocolate with a 70% of cocoa.
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5.
Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.
Gulati, OP
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2015;(7):949-68
Abstract
The present review provides an update of the biological actions of Pycnogenol® in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related disorders such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension. Pycnogenol® is a French maritime pine bark extract produced from the outer bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. Subsp. atlantica. Its strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, endothelium-dependent vasodilator activity, and also its anti-thrombotic effects make it appropriate for targeting the multifaceted pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that it can reduce blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, blood pressure in mild to moderate hypertensive patients, and waist circumference, and improve lipid profile, renal and endothelial functions in metabolic syndrome. This review highlights the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and related clinical research findings on the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol®. The results of clinical research studies performed with Pycnogenol® are discussed using an evidence-based, target-oriented approach following the pathophysiology of individual components as well as in metabolic syndrome overall.
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6.
Pycnogenol® supplementation improves health risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome.
Belcaro, G, Cornelli, U, Luzzi, R, Cesarone, MR, Dugall, M, Feragalli, B, Errichi, S, Ippolito, E, Grossi, MG, Hosoi, M, et al
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2013;(10):1572-8
Abstract
This open, controlled study evaluated the effects of 6 month supplementation with Pycnogenol® maritime pine bark extract on health risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Pycnogenol® was used with the aim of improving risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, central obesity, elevated triglycerides (TG), low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. Sixty-four subjects (range 45-55 years) presenting with all five risk factors of metabolic syndrome were included, and Pycnogenol® was administered for 6 months. A group of 66 equivalent subjects were followed up as controls. In the 6-month study Pycnogenol® supplementation 150 mg/day decreased waist circumference, TG levels, blood pressure and increased the HDL cholesterol levels in subjects. Pycnogenol lowered fasting glucose from baseline 123 ± 8.6 mg/dl to 106.4 ± 5.3 after 3 months and to 105.3 ± 2.5 at the end of the study (p < 0.05 vs controls). Men's waist circumference decreased with Pycnogenol from 106.2 ± 2.2 cm to 98.8 ± 2.3 cm and to 98.3 ± 2.1 after 3 and 6 months. Women's waist decreased from 90.9 ± 1.6 cm to 84.6 ± 2.1 cm and to 83.6 ± 2.2 cm after 3 and 6 months. Both genders waist circumference reduction was significant as compared to controls at both time points. In addition, plasma free radicals decrease in the Pycnogenol group was more effective than in the control group (-34.6%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study indicates a role for Pycnogenol® for improving health risk factors in subjects with metabolic syndrome.