Cacao extract enriched in polyphenols prevents endocrine-metabolic disturbances in a rat model of prediabetes triggered by a sucrose rich diet

CASTRO MC; VILLAGARCIA HG; NAZAR A; GONZÁLEZ ARBELÁEZ LF; MASSA ML; DEL ZOTTO H; RIOS J; SCHINELLA GR; FRANCINI F

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY

ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019

0378-8741

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cocoa extracts rich in polyphenols are used as potential agent for treatingdiabetes. Cocoa polyphenols have been proved to ameliorate important hallmarks of type-2 diabetes (T2D). Theycan regulate glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion, promoting β-cell proliferation and a reduction ofinsulin resistance. In addition, epidemiological evidence indicates that consumption of flavonoid decreases theincidence of T2D.Aim of the study: T2D is preceded by a prediabetic state in which the endocrine-metabolic changes described inT2D are already present. Since epidemiological evidence indicates that consumption of flavonoid decreases itsincidence, we evaluated possible preventive effects of polyphenol-enriched cocoa extract on a model of prediabetes induced by sucrose.Materials and methods: We determined circulating parameters and insulin sensitivity indexes, liver proteincarbonyl groups and reduced glutathione, liver mRNA expression levels of lipogenic enzymes, expression ofdifferent pro-inflammatory mediators, fructokinase activity and liver glycogen content. For that, radioimmunoassay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, spectrophotometry, and immunohistochemistry were used.Results: We demonstrated that sucrose administration triggered hypertriglyceridemia, insulin-resistance, andliver increased oxidative stress and inflammation markers compared to control rats. Additionally, we found anincrease in glycogen deposit, fructokinase activity, and lipogenic genes expression (SREBP-1c, FAS and GPAT)together with a decrease in P-Akt and P-eNOS protein content (P < 0.05). Sucrose-induced insulin resistance,hepatic carbohydrate and lipid dysmetabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation were effectively disrupted bypolyphenol-enriched cocoa extract (PECE) co-administration (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Dietary administration of cocoa flavanols may be an effective and complementary tool for preventing or reverting T2D at an early stage of its development (prediabetes)